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Author: 


Wadlin,  Horace  Greeley 


Title: 


Comparative  wages  and 

prices  1860-1897 

Place: 

Boston 

Date: 

1898 


MASTER   NEGATIVE   # 


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Wadlin,  Horace  Greeley,  1851-1925. 

Coniparative  wages  and  prices.     1860-1897. 
\Fram  the  twenty-eighth  Annual  report  of  the 
Massachusetts  Btireau  of  statistics  of  labor, 
pp.  1-42.^     Boston,  Wright  &  Potter  print. 
CO.,  1898. 

vl,  41  p.    (chiefly  tables) 

At  head  of  title:  Part  I.     Report  for  1897. 


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Part  I.    . Eepokt  for  1897. 


COMPARATIYE 


WAGES  AND  PRICES 


1860-1897 


[From  the  Twenty-eighth  Annual  Report  of  the 

Massachusetts  Bureau  of  Statistics 

OF  Labor,   pp.    1-42.] 


BY 


HORACE  G.  WADLIN, 

CHIEF  OV  THE  BUBBAU  OF  BTATISTICS  OF  LABOR. 


BOSTON: 
WRIGHT  &  POTTER  PRINTING  CO.,  STATE  PRINTERS, 

18  Post  Office  Sqij^b. 
1898. 


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Part  T Eeport  for  1897. 


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COMPARATIVE 


WAGES  AND  PRICES 


1860-1897. 


I 


[From  the   Twenty-eighth  Annual   Repout   of  the 

Massachusetts  .  Bureau   of   Statistics 

OF  Labor,   pp.    1-42.] 


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BY 


HORACE   G.   WADLIN, 

CHIEF  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  STATISTICS  OF  LABOR. 


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BOSTON . 
WRIGHT  &  POTTS;i  FKIKTING  CO.,  STATE  PRINTERS, 

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■'  1 


CONTENTS 


Introduction, 

Similar  presentations  in  previous  reports, 

This  presentation  covers  the  years  1860,  1872,  1878,  1881,  and 

1897,         

Collection  of  information  made  by  special  agents  of  the  Bureau, 
All  inflated  currency  values  brought  to  a  gold  basis,  . 

Average  Weekly  Wages  :  1860, 1872,  1878, 1881,  and  1897, 

Agriculture, 

Blacksmithing, 

Boots  and  shoes, 

Building  trades, 

Cabinet  making, 

Carpetings, 

Carriages, 

Clothing  (ready-made), 

Cotton  goods, 

Glass, 

Hosiery, 

Leather, 

Machines  and  machinery, 

Metals  and  metallic  goods, 

Metals  and  metallic  goods  (fine  work) , 

Musical  instruments, 

Paper, 

Printing, 

Rubber  goods,  elastic  fabrics, 

Stone, 

Straw  goods, 

Woollen  goods, 


Page 

3 
3 


3 
3 
3 

4-12 
4 
4 
4 
4 

4,5 
5 
5 
5 

5-7 
7 

7,8 
8 

8,9 

9 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10,11 

11 
11 

11,  12 


Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages  :  1872, 1881,  and  1897,    12-21 
Agriculture, X2 


Blacksmithing, 
Boots  and  shoes, 
Building  trades. 
Cabinet  making, 
Carpetings,    . 
Carriages, 


12 
12,13 

13 

13 
13,14 

14 


i 


It  contents. 

Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages:    1872,  1881,  and 

1897  —  Con.  pape 

Clothing  (ready-made), 14 

Cotton  goods, 14  16 

Glass, ' 16 

Hosieiy,         .        .        . 16,17 

Leather, 17 

Machines  and  machinery, 17, 18 

Metals  and  metallic  goods, 18 

Metals  and  metallic  goods  (line  work) , 18 

Musical  instnmients, 18, 19 

Paper, 19 

Printing, 19 

Rubber  goods,  elastic  fabrics, 19, 20 

Stone, 20 

Straw  goods, 20 

Woollen  goods, 20, 21 

Average  Retail  Prices  :  18G0,  1872,  1878,  1881,  and  1897,  .        .  22, 23 

Groceries, 22 

Provisions, 22 

Fuel, 22 

Dry  goods,     .        .   ' 22,23 

Boots, 23 

Rents,    . 23 

Board,    .        .        » 23 

Comparisons  of  Average  Retail  Prices:  1872,  1881,  and  1897,  23,24 

Groceries, 23,24 

Provisions, 24 

Fuel, 24 

Dry  goods, 24 

Boots, 24 

Rents, 24 

Board, 24 

Purchase  Power  of  Money:  1800,  1872,  1878,  1881,  and  1897,   .  25-27 

Groceries, 25 

.    Provisions, 25 

Fuel, 26 

Dry  goods, 26 

Boots, 26 

Rents, 27 

Board, 27 

Purchase  Power  of  Money  —  Increases  and  Decreases  :  1872, 

1881,  AND  1897, 26-29 

Groceries, 26, 27 

Provisions, 26-29 

Fuel, 28, 29 


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CONTENTS.  V 

PuRCHAisE  Power  of  Money  —  Increases  and  Decreases  :  1872, 

1881,  AND  1897  —  Con.  p^ge 

Dry  goods, 28,29 

Boots, 28,29 

Rents, 28,29 

Board, 28,29 

Analysis, 30-41 

Earlier  classification  of  employments  adhered  to,       .        .        .  80 

Defective  as  compared  with  later  methods, 80 

Agriculture, 30 

Blacksmithing, 30 

Boots  and  shoes, 80 

Building  trades, 30, 31 

Cabinet  making, 31 

Carpetings, 31 

Carriages, 31 

Clothing  (ready-made), 81 

Cotton  goods, 31,32 

Glass, 32 

Hosiery,         . 32 

Leather, 32,33 

Machines  and  machinery, 38 

Metals  and  metallic  goods, 33 

Metals  and  metallic  goods  (fine  work) , 33 

Musical  instruments,     . 38 

Paper, 88 

Printing, 33,34 

Rubber  goods,  elastic  fabrics, 84 

Stone, 84 

Straw  goods, 34 

Woollen  goods, 34 

Explanation  of  irregularities  in  classification,     .        .        .        .34, 35 
Increases  or  decreases  in  various  branches  of  the  same  industry, 

and  the  resultant  effect  upon  the  industry  as  regards  wages,  35 
Increases  or  decreases  in  average  weekly  wages,  by  industries, 

in  1897  as  compared  with  1872  and  1881,       .        .        .        .35, 36 
Industries  in  which  computed  average  weekly  wages  show  a 

decline, 36 

Industries  in  which  (computed  average  weekly  wages  show  an 

increase, 36,37 

Wages,  in  general,  show  an  increase  in  1897  as  compared  with 

1881, 37 

Wages,  in  general,  show  a  decrease  in  1897  as  compared  with 

1872 37 

Groceries,  in  general,  lower  in  price  in  1897  than  in  1872  or 

1881, 37 

Provisions,  in  general,  lower  in  price  in  1897  than  in  1872  or 

1881 37 


■h  » I  •'nUk 


■^mr^t* 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


Analysis  —  Con. 

Quotations  for  prices  are  for  articles  of  uniform  quality  from 
stores  patronized  by  working  people, 

Fuel,  dry  goods,  and  men's  heavy  boots  lower  in  price  in  1897 
than  in  1872  or  1881, 

Rents  and  board  in  1872,  1881,  and  1897  compared,    . 

Consideration  of  the  purchase  power  of  money  tables. 

Percentages  of  increase  or  decrease  in  prices,  in  1897  as  com- 
pared with  1872  and  1881,  in  the  individual  articles  included 
under  groceries,  provisions,  fuel,  dry  goods,  and  boots; 
different  sized  tenements ;  and  board  for  men  and  women,  . 

Force  or  weight  of  quotations  of  prices  of  necessaries  of  life 
dependent  upon  comparative  quantities  and  values  consumed 
of  the  articles  considered, 

Basis  of  computation  adopted  by  the  Congressional  Committee 
in  1892  used  in  making  comparisons, 

Percentages  of  decrease  in  the  prices  of  groceries  and  of  provi- 
sions in  1897  as  compared  with  1872  and  1881, 

Note  (in  relation  to  the  cotton  goods  industry),       .... 


rage 

37,38 

38 

38 

38,39 


39,40 


40 


41 


41 


i  * 


41 


Si     < 


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COMPAEATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.  1860-1897. 


<** 


»v^ 


The  Bureau  has  presented  from  time  to  time  statistics  of 
wages  and  prices,  collected  by  its  agents  from  original  sources, 
in  form  enabling  comparisons  to  be  made  as  to  the  increase  or 
decrease. 

In  conformity  to  this  practice  the  present  Part  contains  such 
statistics  relating  to  the  year  1897,  tabulated  in  connection 
with  the  data  for  1860,  1872,  1878,  and  1881. 

The  figures  for  1897,  like  those  for  the  previous  years,  have 
been  collected  directly  from  different  establishments  in  the 
specified  industries,  by  the  agents  of  this  Department,  who,  for 
that  purpose,  visited  at  the  close  of  the  year  the  industrial 
centres  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  by  the  co-operation  of  the 
proprietors  obtained  the  information. 

At  the  same  time,  retail  prices  were  obtained  in  the  different 
towns  and  cities  which  were  visited,  at  establishments  patron- 
ized by  working  people,  together  with  information  as  to  rents 
and  prices  for  board  such  as  are  paid  by  wage  workers. 

The  tables  therefore  show  the  rates  paid  in  money  for  the 
different  specified  kinds  of  work  in  the  various  industries,  and 
the  prices  paid  by  the  employes  for  rent,  board,  or  the  various 
articles  of  household  consumption.  By  comparing  the  data 
relating  to  wages  and  prices  in  1897  with  similar  information 
for  the  other  years,  the  variations,  either  upward  or  downward, 
may  be  noted.  The  first  presentation  relates  to  average  weekly 
wages,  and,  as  in  all  the  tables  contained  in  this  Part,  the 
figures  have  been  brought  to  the  gold  basis  in  order  to  e'limi- 
nate  from  the  comparisons  any  misleading  element  due  to 
inflated  currency  values. 


1 

At 


^^mmi*"^ 


4  STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.         [Pub.  Doc. 

The  first  section  of  this  presentation  is  designated  as  Table 
I,  and  contains  wage  quotations  for  1860,  1872,  1878,  1881, 
and  1897. 

Table  I.  — Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897, 


Average  Weekly  Wages, 

Standard,  Gold 

Occupations. 

1860 

1872 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Agriculture. 

Laborers  per  month,  with  board, 

$13.63 

$23.09 

fl5.72 

$18.00 

$18.50 

Laborers  per  day,  without  board,      . 

0.90 

- 

1.25 

1.37 

1.25 

Blacksmithing. 

Blacksmiths, 

9.30 

16.44 

13.75 

16.38 

16.00 

Boots  and  Shoes. 

Cutters, 

12.00 

14.81 

11.05 

14.91 

11.63 

Bottomers,  .... 

10.50 

16.00 

10.71 

11.71 

11.50 

Boot  treers. 

10.50 

- 

12.00 

11.41 

7.73 

Crimpers,    .... 

10.50 

- 

10.00 

11.88 

15.00 

Fitters,        .... 

- 

14.22 

12.00 

9.63 

15.37 

Finishers,    .... 

14.50 

16.00 

11.75 

12.18 

11.59 

Buffers,       ..... 

- 

- 

19.50 

11.21 

15.11 

Heelers 

- 

17.78 

13.75 

11.31 

17.64 

Edge  setters,       .... 

12.00 

17.78 

13.00 

11.50 

12.10 

Shoemakers,       .       .       .       , 

10.33 

14.66 

8.00 

12.21 

15.86 

Machine  hands,  women,    .       . 

8.25 

8.89 

7.33 

7.81 

9.98 

McKay  operators, 

- 

22.22 

17.75 

15.40 

15.29 

Beaters-out,        .... 

- 

16.89 

15.00 

11.43 

12.18 

Trimmers, 

18.00 

17.78 

12.25 

11.99 

17.18 

Women, 

6.50 

- 

8.00 

8.48 

4.04 

Building  Trades. 

Carpenters, 

»               •               • 

9.92 

14.66 

11.33 

12.64 

15.22 

Painters  and  glaziers, 

11.03 

14.11 

13.85 

14.66 

13.97 

Steam  and  gas  fitters, 

10.28 

19.55 

12.16 

15.35 

14.49 

Slaters,        

14.39 

16.00 

12.50 

13.00 

18.00 

Paper  hangers,    .... 

12.97 

14.82 

16.45 

14.45 

18.50 

Plumbers, 

14.05 

14.22 

18.00 

18.00 

19.35 

Plasterers, 

10.18 

21.33 

12.25 

- 

19.50 

Masons,      ..... 

11.45 

21.33 

13.37 

- 

19.89 

Carpenters'  laborers, . 

7.16 

- 

8.29 

8.86 

8.23 

Masons'  and  plasterers'  laborers, 

7.12 

12.22 

8.13 

- 

8.82 

Cabinet  Making. 

Chair  makers, 

10.11 

11.56 

11.90 

10.95 

14.92 

Turners, 

11.80 

15.11 

11.60 

12.00 

14.88 

Carvers, 

12.80 

16.00 

12.33 

12.00 

16.68 

Cabinet  makers,         ..'... 

10.56 

14.66 

11.03 

12.00 

13.54 

No.l5.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES. 

Table  I.-  Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897  —  Continued. 


» 

-4 


Average  Weekly  Wages 

,  Standard,  Gold 

OCCCPATIONS. 

1860 

187S 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Cabinet  Making  — Con. 

Millmen,     ....... 

$10.05 

$12.44 

$10.67 

$10.25 

$11.32 

Polishers  and  finishers, 

10.00 

11.34 

10.25 

10.19 

12.30 

Upholsterers, 

10.90 

14.66 

11.42 

12.00 

10.50 

Upholstery  sewers,  women, 

6.00 

6.07 

7.00 

6.00 

7.08 

Carpetings. 
Wool  sorters, 

6.50 

^ 

9.25 

11.76 

11.33 

Wool  washers,    . 

5.50 

— 

7.35 

6.60 

6.85 

Dyers  and  dryers. 

6.00 

9.93 

7.50 

6.60 

7.77 

Weavers, 

6.50 

7.46 

8.50 

5.70 

9.14 

Section  hands,    .... 

7.50 

- 

10.33 

10.50 

11.65 

Drawers  and  spinners. 

- 

- 

4.35 

3.78 

5.15 

Frame  spinners, .... 

4.50 

5.08 

5.00 

4.20 

5.12 

Firemen, 

6.00 

- 

7.00 

6.60 

8.84 

Machinists  and  carpenters, 

9.00 

9.87 

11.00 

10.20 

10.81 

Watchmen,         .... 

7.00 

-. 

10.00 

8.40 

8.27 

Laborers, 

5.00 

- 

7.05 

6.60 

6.69 

Laborers,  boys,  .... 

- 

- 

3.75 

3.00 

3.89 

Carriages. 
Body  makers,     .... 

11.82 

19.55 

15.70 

14.41 

12.75 

Painters,     .       ,       ,       ,       , 

11.90 

17.33 

14.56 

12.12 

11.80 

Carriage-part  makers. 

9.50 

17.48 

14.14 

13.50 

12.75 

Wheelwrights,    .... 

10.64 

17.77 

13.70 

13.42 

15.58 

Trimmers, 

12.62 

17.77 

15.80 

13.62 

17.66 

Blacksmiths,       .... 

11.20 

16.00 

15.34 

16.15 

13.18 

Blacksmiths'  helpers, 

7.50 

12.44 

9.00 

9.69 

9.75 

Clothing  (Ready-made). 

Overseers, 

19.45 

24.45 

24.82 

28.33 

18.35 

Cutters,       ....... 

13.92 

19.85 

16.00 

19.81 

20.35 

Trimmers, 

11.06 

11.26 

14.31 

13.69 

8.20 

Pressers,      

9.17 

16.05 

10.28 

14.70 

13.44 

Basters,  women, 

6.32 

7.77 

6.46 

8.00 

5.92 

Machine  operators,  women. 

5.53 

10.81 

5.92 

9.47 

6.42 

Finishers  at  home,  women. 

4.00 

- 

3.46 

5.42 

1.79 

Finishers  in  shop,  women. 

4.56 

4.74 

4.58 

4.95 

3.75 

Finishers,  custom,  women. 

6.00 

- 

8.00 

8.71 

6.00 

Pantaloons    and    vest    makers,   custom 

• 

work,  women 

5.58 

- 

6.90 

8.54 

10.29 

Cotton  Goods. 

Openers  and  pickers, 

4.76 

7.35 

6.23 

6.67 

6.33 

Openers  and  pickers,  boys. 

2.57 

4.55 

3.45 

3.45 

5.28 

Strippers, 

4.48 

7.00 

5.06 

6.21 

6.46 

—  -     '"^r^  "^  *  -c^   ,  '•'    * 


e  STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.         [Pub.  Doc. 

Table  1.  — Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897— ■  Continued.. 


Occupations. 


Cotton  Goods  —  Con. 
Grinders,     . 

Frame  tenders,   . 

Drawers,     . 

Railway  and  alley  boys, 

Slubbers,     . 

Overseers  of  carding, 

Section  hands,    . 

Second  hands,    . 

Overseers  of  spinning 

Second  hands,    . 

Section  hands,    . 

General  hands,   . 

Young  persons,  . 

Spare  hands, 

Mule  spinners,    . 

Back  boys,  . 

Doffers, 

Frame  spinners, . 

Frame  spinners,  girls 

Frame  spinners,  boys 

Ring  spinners,  overseers. 

Ring  spinners,  second  hands. 

Ring  spinners,  third  hands 

Ring  spinners,  girls,  . 

DoflFers,  boys,     . 

Fly  and  jack  frame  tenders, 

Reeling  and  warping,  overseers 

Reeling  and  warping,  second  hands, 

Reeling  and  warping,  spare  hands,  girls 

Reeling  and  warping,  spoolers. 

Reeling  and  warping,  young  persons. 

Warpers,     . 

Dressers,     . 

Dressers,  overseers,    . 

Slasher  tenders, . 

Drawers,     .       . 

Drawers,  section  hands. 

Drawers,  third  hands. 

Drawers,  room  hands. 

Twisters,  women, 

Weavers,     .       ,       . 

Weavers,  overseers,   . 

Weavers,  second  hands. 


Average  Weekly  Wages,  Standard,  Gold 


1860 


$6.51 
3.48 
2.33 
2.70 
3.50 

16.70 

12.00 
8.00 

17.70 
7.00 
9.00 
6.00 
3.46 
3.45 
6.33 
2.07 
3.00 
3.28 
2.37 

11.52 
7.50 
4.00 
3.60 
2.56 
3.50 
9.00 
4.50 
2.40 
2.62 
2.53 
4.22 
8.19 

21.91 

4.56 
6.25 
6.00 
5.00 
4.50 
4.44 
17.41 
7.00 


1878 


1878 


$7.50 
5.65 


3.30 
26.67 

16.00 
26.67 
14.67 


4.59 

4.53 

10.70 

3.68 


4.00 

14.67 

9.33 

4.48 

4.85 

4.53 

5.90 

15.47 

21.33 

10.00 

5.64 

10.67 

8.80 

5.33 


$7.34 

4.47 

3.70 

3.45 

4.80 

18.72 

11.40 

10.00 

19.45 

8.00 

11.40 

6.44 

3.72 

4.00 

7.41 

2.32 

4.65 

3.96 

3.52 

2.70 

18.00 

9.00 

5.50 

4.20 

2.80 

5.80 

15.00 

9.00 

4.20 

3.96 

3.00 

5.30 

11.27 

20.40 

9.79 

5.55 

8.34 

6.90 

6.00 

5.00 

5.88 

20.00 

9.00 


1881 


1897 


$8.42 

4.90 

4.52 

4.41 

5.90 

17.80 

10.62 

10.18 

18.06 

11.71 

10.01 

5.96 

4.11 

3.77 

10.09 

2.97 

4.27 

5.38 

4.38 

3.00 

13.80 

10.51 

8.61 

4.95 

2.70 

7.05 

16.05 

9.44 

4.33 

5.21 

5.10 

6.23 

10.23 

18.00 

7.50 

5.49 

6.78 

6.86 

8.19 

5.85 

6.44 

16.39 

10.91 


$8.56 
7.50 
5.32 
5.11 
8.07 
25.19 
9.14 
12.94 
22.96 
12.46 
8.99 
7.08 
3.98 
5.57 
13.24 
4.73 
6.03 
7.25 
4.74 
4.42 
21.75 
9.90 
9.86 
6.48 
4.64 
7.12 
17.00 
10.92 
4.93 
5.66 
4.83 
7.87 
9.64 
23.22 
10.21 
5.42 
8.30 
8.62 
6.51 
5.83 
7.70 
24.23 
12.63 


^       "^ 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES. 

Table  1.  — Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897  —  ConHnued. 


Average  Weeklv  Wages 

Standard,  Gold 

Occupations. 

1860 

1872 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Cotton  Goods  —  Con. 

Weavers,  section  hands,    , 

•       .       . 

$7.74 

$10.67 

$9.71 

$9.18 

$10.83 

Weavers,  spare  hands, 

4.50 

6.61 

5.25 

6.06 

6.95 

Weavers,  4  looms,      . 

- 

5.78 

3.96 

5.64 

6.57 

Weavers,  6  looms, 

- 

9.50 

5.01 

6.74 

7.38 

Weavers,  8  looms,      , 

- 

11.33 

6.30 

8.23 

8.75 

Bobbin  boys,      .       . 

4.00 

- 

4.50 

3.78 

4.90 

Cloth  room,  overseers. 

18.10 

14.67 

17.25 

11.50 

18.25 

Cloth  room,  second  hands. 

7.17 

8.64 

9.30 

10.00 

12.00 

Cloth  room,  men. 

5.44 

8.16 

6.45 

7.69 

7.12 

Cloth  room,  women  and  boys,  . 

4.06 

4.80 

4.27 

5.20 

4.86 

Packing  room,  girls  and  boys,  . 

4.03 

- 

4.70 

5.59 

6.00 

Dyers, 

5.87 

8.93 

8.13 

6.30 

6.59 

Bundlers, 

6.00 

8.69 

8.88 

8.27 

7.84 

Overseers  of  repairs,  . 

17.10 

17.33 

20.00 

18.39 

27.38 

Mechanics, 

8.35 

12.16 

10.72 

13.51 

11.60 

Mechanics,  laborers,  . 

5.47 

8.72 

6.94 

7.09 

6.44 

Engineers, 

9.00 

- 

11.37 

17.75 

16.96 

Firemen 

7.09 

_ 

8.33 

9.33 

9.42 

Overseers  of  yard. 

11.56 

16.05 

17.37 

12.30 

Yard  hands,        .... 

5.22 

8.76 

6.32 

7.69 

7.01 

Watchmen,        .... 

6.83 

- 

8.12 

9.23 

8.88 

Teamsters, 

5.40 

10.67 

8.01 

9.31 

8.51 

Glass. 

Blowers, 

- 

8.89 

12.00 

12.00 

21.90 

Kilnmen, 

— 

12.44 

10.50 

11.36 

12.00 

Polishers, 

- 

17.78 

12.00 

13.50 

12.00 

Gaffers 

- 

16.00 

20.00 

20.00 

24.00 

Servitors, 

— 

13.33 

13.00 

15.00 

21.00 

Foot  makers,      .... 

— 

13.33 

11.00 

12.00 

15.00 

Pressors, 

- 

12.00 

13.00 

16.11 

18.00 

Gatherers 

— 

10.67 

12.00 

12.55 

15.00 

Stickers-up 

— 

7.11 

8.00 

7.95 

6.72 

Ware  wheelers,  .... 

- 

9.11 

6.00 

8.71 

6.16 

Engravers, 

- 

18.22 

12.00 

15.00 

17.00 

Mixers, 

- 

10.67 

12.00 

14.33 

12.00 

Men,  not  in  departments,  . 

- 

- 

10.50 

10.91 

10.16 

Boys, 

- 

3.56 

4.50 

4.76 

6.76 

Women  and  girls, 

- 

4.44 

4.00 

6.00 

5.55 

Hosiery. 

Overseers  of  carding 

- 

- 

13.50 

17.10 

22.49 

Young  persons,  carding,    .... 

- 

- 

6.00 

4.57 

4.45 

Overseers  of  bleaching  and  dyeing,  . 

- 

- 

16.62 

21.50- 

17.49 

jaiiKJt. 


.h.  ii-iy*^*  t* 


8  STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.         [Pub.  Doc, 

Table  I.— Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897— Contmued. 


Average  Weeklt  Wages 

,  Standard,  Gold 

Occupations. 

1860 

1873 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Hosiery  —  Con. 

Men,  bleaching  and  dyeing, 

- 

- 

$7.87 

$8.28 

$6.36 

Overseers  of  spinning, 

- 

- 

13.50 

17.45 

23.49 

Men  and  boys,  spinning, 

- 

- 

6.75 

7.63 

11.68 

Boarders,    .       .       , 

- 

- 

7.50 

7.82 

9.34 

Finishers,  women, 

- 

- 

5.10 

5.76 

4.95 

Cutters,       .       .      ' 

- 

- 

8.40 

6.16 

6.09 

Winders,     . 

- 

- 

6.60 

5.53 

6.22 

Knitters, 

- 

- 

6.85 

8.94 

7.29 

Twisters,     • 

- 

- 

6.00 

6.00 

4.70 

Sewing  girls, 

- 

- 

6.00 

6.49 

6.56 

Menders,     . 

- 

- 

5.70 

4.96 

5.99 

Rotary  knitters,  men. 

- 

- 

15.00 

17.86 

12.87 

Engineers,  . 

- 

- 

12.00 

17.14 

16.81 

Yard  hands  and  watchmen. 

- 

- 

7.80 

8.40 

6.72 

Leather. 

Limers  and  beamers, 

$7.50 

- 

11.00 

9.05 

9.88 

Tanners, 

6.83 

$10.41 

8.00 

8.74 

9.00 

Shavers, 

9.00 

- 

15.00 

11.75 

14.72 

Finishers,    . 

8.50 

- 

11.00 

10.18 

8.68 

Splitters,     . 

14.25 

16.00 

16.00 

17.62 

22.49 

Knifemen,  . 

12.00 

13.77 

13.50 

14.15 

14.50 

Tablemen,  . 

7.00 

13.25 

8.00 

10.03 

9.00 

Foremen,     . 

15.00 

- 

20.00 

26.67 

19.00 

Machines  and  Machinery. 

Pattern  makers, 

11.50 

17.60 

15.24 

18.10 

13.72 

Iron  moulders,    . 

9.50 

14.67 

12.30 

16.40 

11.81 

Brass  moulders, . 

10.00 

14.67 

13.25 

15.75 

14.56 

Core  makers. 

5.00 

- 

6.00 

6.28 

6.95 

Blacksmiths, 

9.15 

16.00 

12.15 

15.75 

12.95 

Blacksmiths'  helpers. 

6.50 

10.20 

7.70 

10.29 

7.80 

Machinists, . 

9.64 

14.40 

13.05 

17.09 

11.05 

Cleaners  and  chippers, 

6.00 

- 

7.50 

8.64 

8.26 

Chuckers,    . 

6.75 

- 

9.75 

11.33 

9.60 

Fitters, 

8.83 

14.40 

10.66 

12.82 

9.33 

Polishers,    . 

8.00 

- 

9.75 

8.59 

7.98 

Setters-up,  . 

10.00 

12.80 

12.00 

13.38 

10.36 

Rivet  heaters,  boys,    . 

4.00 

- 

5.00 

5.64 

6.44 

Riveters, 

9.50 

14.67 

12.00 

13.05 

15.12 

Woodworkers,    .       • 

9.16 

-. 

10.39 

14.60 

10.14 

Painters,     . 

6.00 

- 

8.00 

12.23 

8.62 

Laborers,    « 

6.00 

8.53 

7.27 

9.15 

7.42 

f         ^ 


#      % 


ir    * 


<r       -^ 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.         9' 

Table  J. -^Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897— Continued. 


OCCPPATIONS. 


Machines  and  Machinery  —  Con. 

Watchmen, 

Teamsters, 


Metals  and  Metallic  Goods. 

Hammermen, 

Heaters, 

Rollers, 

Puddlers, 

Shinglers,    ..,.,, 

Helpers, 

Wire  drawers, 

Annealers  and  cleaners,     . 

Roughers 

Finishers, 

Billeters, 

Stockers, 

Strikers-in, 

Brickmasons, 

Brickmasons'  helpers. 

Sinkers, 

Machinists, 

Laborers, 


Metals    and   Metallic   Goods    (Fine 

Work).     ^ 
Woodworkers, 

Women, 

Boys  and  girls, 

Moulders,    , 

Gold  workers. 

Steel  workers, 

Metal  workers. 

Watchmen, 

Engineers,  . 

Musical  Instruments. 
Case  makers, 
Varnishers, 
Finishers,    • 
Millmen,     . 
Action  makers. 
Action  makers,  women. 
Tuners, 
Laborers,     . 


Average  Weekly  Wages,  Standard,  Gold 


1860 


$7.00 
7.50 


10.85 
6.35 


9.00 

4.50 

3.75 

8.50 

15.00 

10.50 

7.00 

7.50 

10.50 


13.50 

7.85 

10.85 

12.38 

12.67 

6.72 

16.40 

7.17 


1872 


1878 


$21.33 
10.67 
24.00 
24.00 


9.33 


$9.00 
10.00 


12.00 

23.40 

13.80 

18.00 

19.50 

12.75 

12.75 

9.90 

21.60 

27.00 

9.60 

9.60 

8.10 

18.00 

7.95 

22.50 

14.42 

7.38 


10.50 

6.00 

4.65 

11.75 

18.00 

12.00 

9.00 

10.57 

12.00 


13.12 
10.12 
14.46 
14.19 
14.00 

7.11 
15.00 

7.70 


1881 


$12.21 
11.80 


18.00 

27.77 

16.40 

20.91 

22.94 

12.00 

10.50 

8.40 

15.00 

28.87 

8.80 

8.80 

8.58 

16.50 

9.27 

19.08 

16.05 

8.11 


12.17 
6.63 
4.79 
12.97 
19.29 
14.71 
11.46 
11.00 
15.00 


14.62 
17.00 
12.25 
12.37 
14.00 

7.50 
21.25 

9.42 


1897 


$8.28 
9.48 


19.22 
16.46 
13.82 
13.08 
13.50 

9.97 

7.53 
10.73 
14.63 
11.50 
15.45 
10.63 

8.42 
13.99 

8.70 
24.00 
12.78 

8.12 


15.29 
8.40 
5.53 
14.21 
17.75 
15.91 
13.62 
10.00 
13.51 


17.40 
13.73 
20.93 
13.25 
14.85 
10.00 
22.46 
10.20 


l*> 


A 


P 


LJ 


[ 


f 

I 


10  STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.         [Pub.  Doc. 

Table  I.  — Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897  — Coniiimed. 


Average  Weekly  "Wages, 

Standard,  Gold 

OCCUPATIOKS. 

1860 

1872 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Paper. 

Foremen,    .... 

$16.63 

$16.00 

$26.49 

$25.25 

$14.25 

Millwrights,        .        . 

9.86 

16.00 

15.21 

14.47 

14.34 

Rag  engine  tenders,    . 

7.90 

14.67 

10.41 

10.90 

8.44 

Paper  machine  tenders,     . 

10.00 

16.00 

15.25 

15.50 

17.69 

Thresher-women, 

5.70 

8.89 

7.40 

7.50 

4.50 

Rag  cutters, 

7.50 

- 

8.40 

6.78 

6.07 

Finishers 

7.70 

11.33 

10.20 

12.31 

11.44 

Finishers,  girls,  .       .       • 

3.92 

6.93 

5.27 

7.58 

6.11 

Finishers'  helpers,      .       • 

5.80 

- 

7.27 

10.50 

10.00 

Cutters,  girls,     . 

3.40 

5.33 

5.00 

5.70 

5.70 

Bleachers,   .... 

6.70 

8.89 

7.56 

6.94 

8.08 

Rag  sorters. 

3.27 

4.00 

4.53 

4.97 

6.25 

Men  on  stock,     . 

5.88 

9.33 

6.57 

8.14 

9.52 

Mechanics, .... 

9.75 

- 

13.20 

14.62 

14.42 

Engineers  and  firemen. 

6.64 

10.52 

8.77 

10.48 

13.31 

Laborers,     .... 

5.50 

8.33 

6.55 

7.89 

8.37 

Printing. 

Job  compositors, 

10.19 

— 

14.12 

16.00 

15.50 

Proofreaders,     . 

17.45 

28.89 

20.09 

21.81 

28.87 

Proof  readers,  women. 

8.67 

- 

11.07 

9.33 

13.75 

Job  pressmen,     .... 

9.95 

14.44 

12.60 

14.55 

13.28 

News-work,        .       , 

8.77 

- 

15.11 

16.61 

23.09 

Press  feeders. 

5.17 

- 

6.40 

11.37 

9.67 

Press  feeders,  women, 

4.77 

-     j 

5.80 

8.58 

4.83 

Compositors,  daily,    . 

14.83 

25.77 

18.28 

20.00 

21.78 

Pressmen,  daily,         .       .       , 

13.19 

17.55 

18.11 

18.00 

18.63 

Book  compositors. 

10.28 

15.22 

12.87 

13.00 

15.83 

Book  compositors,  women, 

5.42 

7.11 

7.22 

9.00 

9.67 

Rubber  Goods,  Elastic  Fabrics. 

Rubber  workers, 

— 

— 

12.00 

8.99 

13.04 

Rubber  workers,  women,  . 

- 

— 

5.55 

5.54 

5.59 

Overseers  of  weavers,        • 

- 

- 

15.00 

20.05 

19.00 

Weavers,  women. 

- 

- 

5.40 

7.48 

10.32 

Dyers, 

- 

- 

7.87 

9.42 

8.61 

Dyers,  foremen, .... 

- 

— 

18.00 

16.00 

15.00 

Sewing  girls,       .... 

- 

— 

6.30 

6.48 

7.35 

Overseers  of  spoolers. 

- 

- 

15.00 

11.33 

9.00 

Spoolers,  women, 

- 

- 

4.75 

6.42 

6.50 

Overseers  of  leather  work. 

- 

— 

16.50 

13.50 

16.50 

Men  on  leather  work. 

- 

- 

8.40 

7.S8 

13.50 

Boys  on  leather  work. 

- 

-    - 

4.37 

3.00 

7.00 

'«• 


^A 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.       11 

Table  1.— Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897  —  Continxied. 


, 

Average  Weekly  Wages, 

Standard,  Gold 

Occupations. 

1860 

1872 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Rubber  Goods,  Elastic  Fabrics  -  Con. 

Quillers,  boys  and  girls,     .... 

- 

- 

$2.75 

$3.46 

$3.68 

"Woodworkers, 

- 

- 

14.25 

15.60 

10.50 

Stone. 

Quarrymen, 

$5.70 

- 

6.80 

8.00 

9.15 

Paving  cutters, 

6.00 

- 

6.75 

8.00 

6.36 

Stone  cutters, 

13.50 

- 

12.00 

14.25 

15.39 

Polishers, 

7.50 

- 

9.00 

10.00 

9.32 

Blacksmiths, 

10.22 

- 

10.50 

11.00 

16.50 

Teamsters, 

8.17 

- 

9.75 

10.00 

9.84 

Lal>orers, 

5.00 

- 

6.00 

9.50 

6.62 

Straw  Goods. 

Bleachers, 

- 

- 

9.00 

9.00 

10.38 

Blockers, 

- 

- 

12.00 

12.00 

16.71 

Pressers, 

- 

- 

12.00 

12.00 

11.27 

Packers, 

- 

- 

12.00 

10.50 

11.75 

Machine  sewers, 

- 

-> 

10.50 

9.00 

11.41 

Plaster  block  makers,        .... 

- 

- 

11.25 

10.50 

12.00 

Whittlers, 

- 

- 

18.00 

18.00 

10.50 

Menders, 

- 

- 

7.50 

9.00 

8.07 

Tippers 

- 

- 

9.00 

9.00 

14.00 

Trimmers,  ....... 

- 

- 

9.00 

9.00 

8.33 

Wirers, 

- 

- 

10.50 

9.00 

11.85 

Machinists, 

- 

- 

18.00 

18.00 

13.75 

Woollen  Goods. 

Wool  sorters, 

6.98 

$9.50 

8.50 

9.43 

12.28 

Washers  and  scourers. 

5.48 

8.00 

6.66 

8.84 

6.82 

Dyers,         , 

5.72 

7.95 

6.66 

7.81 

7.21 

Dryers, 

5.68 

7.13 

6.12 

6.84 

7.20 

Young  persons,  . 

5.00 

- 

6.00 

5.12 

5.55 

Dyers  and  scourers. 

4.27 

- 

6.50 

7.01 

6.28 

Washers,     . 

6.33 

- 

8.15 

7.80 

6.96 

Dryers  and  pickers,    . 

4.50 

— 

6.00 

6.96 

6.24 

Scourers,     . 

4.50 

- 

5.75 

7.07 

5.51 

Carders,      ... 

5.32 

7.30 

6.19 

8.12 

7.59 

Carders,  overseers,     , 

12.00 

- 

18.00 

16.33 

30.00 

Strippers,    . 

4.97 

- 

6.19 

7.57 

7.00 

Spinners,     . 

6.79 

9.20 

7.64 

9.05 

10.89 

Spinners,  boys,  . 

3.00 

- 

3.00 

4.81 

7.37 

Spinners,  women. 

4.75 

6.85 

6.15 

6.18 

6.38 

Spoolers,  women. 

4.08 

— 

5.64 

4.70 

5.82 

Spoolers,  girls,    . 

3.37 

- 

4.22 

3.09 

4.52 

12  STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 

Table  1.  — Average  Weekly  Wages:  1860-1897 —Conclnded. 


Average  Weekly  Wages, 

Standard,  Gold 

Occupations. 

1860 

1878 

1878 

1881 

1897 

WooLLEX  Goods  —  Con. 

Dressers  and  warpers 

$6.48 

- 

$7.68 

$8.64 

$9.62 

Dressers,     . 

7.60 

- 

9.18 

10.06 

10.70 

Weavers,     . 

5.50 

- 

7.00 

8.33 

8.64 

Fullers, 

5.23 

$7.71 

6.89 

7.35 

7.30 

Shearers,     . 

5.40 

- 

6.60 

8.05 

6.71 

Diggers, 

5.04 

7.26 

5.90 

7.00 

7.10 

Burlers, 

5.08 

7.61 

6.34 

5.09 

5.44 

Bnrlers,  women, 

3.81 

6.25 

4.59 

5.13 

5.64 

Bnrlers,  girls,     • 

3.00 

4.98 

3.25 

3.75 

5.32 

Finishers,    . 

6.04 

7.68 

7.08 

7.53 

8.31 

Finishers,  women, 

3.08 

4.91 

4.95 

5.85 

6.04 

Packers, 

5.00 

8.00 

7.23 

7.71 

10.22 

Pressmen,  . 

6.50 

— 

7.50 

7.68 

9.05 

Section  hands,    . 

7.33 

— 

9.33 

12.15 

12.35 

Firemen,     , 

6.56 

9.97 

8.78 

7.97 

9.44 

Engineers  and  firemen 

'»      • 

9.00 

— 

10.50 

11.07 

13.29 

Laborers,    .       .       , 

5.44 

7.86 

6.69 

8.58 

6.73 

Watchmen, 

7.08 

- 

9.41 

9.63 

10.50 

The  next  section  of  this  presentation,  designated  as  Table  II, 
brings  forward  for  direct  comparison  the  figures  as  to  wages  in 
1872,  1881,  and  1897,  and  shows  the  increase  (-f-)  or  decrease 
( — )  in  dollars  in  1897,  as  compared  with  each  of  the  two 
preceding  years  specified. 

Table  IT.  —  Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages :  1872, 1881,  and  1897. 


OCCCPATIONS. 

Average  Weekly  Wages, 
Standard,  Gold 

Increase 
(+),or 
Decrease 
(-),  in 
1897 
as  Com- 
pared with 
1878 

Increase 
(+),  or 

Decrease 

(-),  in 

I807 

. 

1878 

1881 

1897 

as  Com- 
pared with 
1881 

Agriculture. 
Laborers  per  month,  with  board,    . 
I^aborers  per  day,  without  board,   . 

Blacksmithino. 
Blacksmiths, 

Boots  and  Shoes. 
Cutters, 

Bottomers 

$23.09 

16.44 

14.81 
16.00 

$18.00 
1.37 

16.38 

14.91 
11.71 

$18.50 
1.25 

16.00 

11.63 
11.50 

—$4.59 

—0.44 

—3.18 
—4.50 

+$0.50 
—0.12 

—0.38 

—3.28 
-0.21 

No.  15.]  COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        13 


Table  n. —  Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages:  187 2 y  1881,  and 

i(9^  7  — Continued. 


Average  Weekly  Wages, 

tiTANDABD,  GOLD 

Increase 

(+),or 

Decrease 

Increase 

(+),or 

Decrease 

Occupations. 

(-),in 
1897 
as  Com- 
pared with 
1878 

(-),  in 

1897 

187% 

1881 

1897 

as  Com- 
pared with 
1881 

Boots  and  Shoes  —  Con. 

Boot  treers, 

- 

$11.41 

$7.73 

. 

—$3.68 

Crimpers, 

- 

11.88 

15.00 

- 

+3.12 

Fitters, 

$14.22 

9.63 

15.37 

+$1.15 

+5.74 

Finishers, 

16.00 

12.18 

11.59 

—4.41 

—0.59 

Buffers, 

- 

11.21 

15.11 

- 

+3.90 

Heelers,    ....... 

17.78 

11.31 

17.64 

—0.14 

+6.33 

Edge  setters, 

17.78 

11.50 

12.10 

—5.68 

+0.60 

Shoemakers, 

14.66 

12.21 

15.86 

-1-1.20 

+3.65 

Machine  hands,  women, 

8.89 

7.81 

9.98 

-f-1.09 

+2.17 

McKay  operators,  .       .       .       .       . 

22.22 

15.40 

15.29 

—6.93 

—0.11 

Beaters-out, 

16.89 

11.43 

12.18 

-4.71 

+0.75 

Trimmers, 

17.78 

11.99 

17.18 

—0.60 

+5.19 

Women, 

- 

8.48 

4.04 

- 

—4.44 

Building  Trades. 

Carpenters, 

14.66 

12.64 

15.22 

-fO.56 

+2.58 

Painters  and  glaziers,     .... 

14.11 

14.66 

13.97 

—0.14 

—0.69 

Steam  and  gas  fitters,     .... 

19.65 

15.35 

14.49 

—5.06 

—0.86 

Slaters,    

16.00 

13.00 

18.00 

+2.00 

+5.00 

Paper  hangers, 

14.82 

14.45 

18.50 

+3.68 

+4.05 

Plumbers, 

14.22 

18.00 

19.35 

+5.13 

+1.35 

Plasterers, 

21.33 

- 

19.50 

—1.83 

_ 

Masons 

21.33 

— 

19.89 

—1.44 

„ 

Carpenters'  laborers,       .... 

- 

8.86 

8.23 

^ 

—0.63 

Masons'  and  plasterers'  laborers,  . 

12.22 

- 

8.82 

—3.40 

- 

Cabinet  Making. 

Chair  makers, 

11.56 

10.95 

14.92 

+3.36 

+3.97 

Turners 

15.11 

12.00 

14.88 

—0.23 

+2.88 

Carvers, 

16.00 

12.00 

16.68 

+0.68 

+4.68 

Cabinet  makers, 

14.66 

12.00 

13.54 

-1.12 

+1.54 

Millmen,  ....... 

12.44 

10.25 

11.32 

—1.12 

+1.07 

Polishers  and  finishers,  .... 

11.34 

10.19 

12.30 

+0.96 

+2.11 

Upholsterers,  .• 

14.66 

12.00 

10.50 

—4.16 

—1.50 

Upholstery  sewers,  women,    . 

6.07 

6.00 

7.08 

+1.01 

+1.08 

Carpetings. 
Wool  sorters,  ...... 

. 

11.76 

11.33 

—0.43 

Wool  washers, 

- 

6.60 

6.85 

^ 

+0.25 

Dyers  and  dryers, 

9.93 

6.60 

7.77 

—2.16 

+1.17 

Weavers,         ....... 

7.46 

5.70 

9.14 

+1.68 

+3.44 

k 


14 


STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.         [Pub.  Doc. 


Table  U.  —  Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages:  1872,  1881,  and 

i^^7_  Continued. 


Increase 

!      Increase 

Average  Weekly  Wages, 

(+),  or 

(+),  or 

Standard,  Gold 

Decrease 

5     Decrease 

OCCCPATIONS. 

(-).  in 

(-),  in 
1897 

as  Com- 

as  Cora- 

1872 

1881 

1897 

pared  with 'pared  with 
1872      1      1881 

Carpetixgs  —  Con. 

Section  hands,         .... 

. 

$10.50 

$11.65 

,^ 

+$1.15 

Drawers  and  spinners,    . 

- 

3.78 

5.15 

«» 

+1.37 

Frame  spinners,      .... 

^5.08 

4.20 

5.12 

+$0.04 

+0.92 

Firemen, 

- 

6.60 

8.84 

_ 

+2.24 

Machinists  and  carpenters,     . 

9.87 

10.20 

10.81 

+0.94 

+0.61 

Watchmen, 

- 

8.40 

8.27 

^^ 

—0.13 

Laborers,         ••.... 

.. 

6.60 

6.69 

_ 

+0.09 

Laborers,  boys, 

- 

3.00 

3.89 

- 

+0.89 

Carriages. 

Body  makers, 

19.55 

14.41 

12.75 

—6.80 

-1.66 

Painters, 

17.33 

12.12 

11.80 

—5.53 

—0.32 

Carriage-part  makers,     .       .       .        . 

17.48 

13.50 

12.75 

—4.73 

—0.75 

Wheelwrights, 

17.77 

13.42 

15.58 

—2.19 

+2.16 

Trimmers, 

17.77 

13.62 

17.66 

—0.11 

+4.04 

Blacksmiths 

16.00 

16.15 

13.18 

—2.82 

—2.97 

Blacksmiths'  helpers,      .... 

12.44 

9.69 

9.75 

—2.69 

+0.06 

Clothing  (Ready-made). 

Overseers, 

24.45 

28.33 

18.35 

—6.10 

—9.98 

Cutters, 

19.85 

19.81 

20.35 

+0.50 

+0.54 

Trimmers, 

11.26 

13.69 

8.20 

—3.06 

—5.49 

Pressers,  

16.05 

14.70 

13.44 

—2.61 

—1.26 

Basters,  women, 

7.77 

8.00 

6.92 

—1.85 

—2.08 

Machine  operators,  women,    . 

10.81 

9.47 

6.42 

—4.39 

—3.05 

Finishers  at  home,  women,    . 

— 

5.42 

1.79 

—3.63 

Finishers  in  shop,  women, 

4.74 

4.95 

3.75 

-0.99 

—1.20 

Finishers,  custom,  women,    . 

— 

8.71 

6.00 

—2.71 

Pantaloons  and  vest  makers,  custom 

work,  women,      ..... 

- 

8.54 

10.29 

- 

41.75 

Cotton  Goods. 

Openers  and  pickers,      .... 

7.35 

6.67 

6.33 

—1.02 

—0.34 

Openers  and  pickers,  boys,    . 

4.55 

3.45 

5.28 

+0.73 

+1.83 

Strippers, 

7.00 

6.21 

6.46 

—0.54 

+0.25 

Grinders, 

7.50 

8.42 

8.56 

+1.06 

+0.14 

Frame  tenders, 

5.65 

4.90 

7.50 

+1.85 

+2.60 

Drawers 

- 

4.52 

5.32 

^ 

+0.80 

Railway  and  alley  boys, 

— 

4.41 

5.11 

_ 

+0.70 

Slubbers, 

3.30 

5.90 

8.07 

+4.77 

+2.17 

Overseers  of  carding 

26.67 

17.80 

25.19 

—1.48 

+7.39  • 

A,    '        I    '  * 


v     I    ■% 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.       15 

Table  Jl.— Comparisons  of  Average   Weekly  Wages:  1872,  1881,  and 

i^^  7— Continued. 




Increase 

!      Increase 

Average  Weekly  Wages, 

(+),  or 

(-I-).  or 

Standard,  Gold 

Decrease  |  Decrease 

Occupations. 

(-),m 
1897 

as  Com- 

(-), in 
1897 

as  Com- 

1872 

1881 

1897 

pared  with  pared  with 
1872           1881 

Cotton  Goods  —  Con. 

Section  hands, 

•         .          •            - 

$10.62 

$9.14 

^ 

—$1.48 

Second  hands,         , 

.    $16.00 

10.18 

12.94 

—$3.06 

+2.76 

Overseers  of  spinning. 

.      26.67 

18.06 

22.96 

—3.71 

+4.90 

Second  hands. 

.      14.67 

11.71 

12.46 

—2.21 

+0.75 

Section  hands. 

.        .         - 

10.01 

8.99 

^^ 

—1.02 

General  hands,        , 
Young  persons. 

4.69 

5.96 
4.11 

7.08 
3.98 

—0.61 

+1.12 
—0.13 

Spare  hands,    .        , 

4.53 

3.77 

6.57 

+1.04 

+1.80 

Mule  spinners. 

.      10.70 

10.09 

13.24 

+2.54 

+3.15 

Back  boys, 
Doffers,    . 
Frame  spinners, 
Frame  spinners,  girls. 
Frame  spinners,  boys. 

.       .        .       3.68 

2.97 
4.27 
5.38 
4.38 
3.00 

4.73 
6.03 
7.25 
4.74 
4.42 

+1.05 

+1.76 
+1.76 
+1.87 
+0.36 

+1.42 

Ring  spmners,  overseers 

• 

13.80 

21.75 

— 

+7.95 

Rmg  spinners,  second  hands, 

• 

10.51 

9.90 

,. 

—0.61 

Ring  spinners,  third  hands, 
Ring  spinners,  girls, 
Doffers,  boys,  . 

4.00 

8.61 
4.95 
2.70 

9.86 
6.48 
4.64 

+0.64 

+1.26 
+1.53 
+1.94 
+0.07 
+0.95 

Fly  and  jack  frame  tenders. 

•        •        .         — 

7.05 

7.12 

Reeling  and  warping,  overseers,    .        .      14.67 

16.05 

17.00 

+2.33 

Reeling  and  warping,  second  hands,     .       9.33 

9.44 

10.92 

+  1.59 

+1.48 

Reeling  and  warping,  spare  hands,  girls,       4.48 

4.33 

4.93 

+0.45 

+0.60 
+0.45 

Reeling  and  warping,  spoolers,      .       .       4.85 

5.21 

5.66 

+0.81 

Reeling  and  warping,  young  persons,   .       4.53 
Warpers, 5.90 

Dressers, 15,47 

5.10 

6.23 

10.23 

4.83 
7.87 
9.64 

+0.30 
+1.97 
—5.83 

—0.27 
+1.64 
—0.59 

Dressers,  overseers, 

.      21.33 

18.00 

23.22 

+1.89 

+5.22 
+2.71 
—0.07 

Slasher  tenders. 
Drawers, .... 

.      10.00 
.        .       6.64 

7.50 
5.49 

10.21 
5.42 

+0.21 
—0.22 

Drawers,  section  hands, . 
Drawers,  third  hands,    . 

.      10.67 
8.80 

6.78 
6.86 

8.30 
8.62 

—2.37 
—0.18 

+  1.52 
+1.76 
—1.68 
—0.02 
+1.26 
+7.84 
+1.72 
+1.65 

Drawers,  rodm  hands,    . 

. 

8.19 

6.51 

Twisters,  women,    • 
Weavers, 

Weavers,  overseers. 
Weavers,  second  hands. 
Weavers,  section  hands, 

.        .        5.33 
.      10.67 

5.85 

6.44 

16.39 

10.91 

9.18 

5.83 

7.70 

24.23 

12.63 

10.83 

+0.50 
+0.16 

Weavers,  spare  hands,    . 
Weavers,  4  looms,  . 

6.61 
5.78 

6.06 
5.64 

6.95 
6.57 

+0.34 
+0.79 

+0.89 
+0.93 

•->>  Jt»  gi_  iT-_», 


16 


STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


Table  II. ^ Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages:  1S72,  1881,  and 

2<9^7— Continued. 


AvKBAGE  Weekly  Wages, 
Standakd,  Gold 

Increase 

(+),  or 

Decrease 

Increase 

(+),  or 

Decrease 

Occupations. 

(-),  in 
1897 

as  Com- 
pared witl 
1878 

(-),in 

1897 

asCom- 

1  pared  with 

1881 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Corrox  Goods  — Con. 

Weavers,  6  looms, 

$9.50 

$6.74 

$7.38 

$2.12 

+$0.64 

Weavers,  8  looms,  . 

11.33 

8.23 

8.75 

—2.58 

+0.52 

Bobbin  boys,   . 

- 

3.78 

4.90 

— 

+1.12 

Cloth  room,  overseers,    . 

14.67 

11.50 

18.25 

4-3.58 

+6.75 

Cloth  room,  second  hands, 

8.64 

10.00 

12.00 

+3.36 

+2.00 

Cloth  room,  men,    . 

8.16 

7.69 

7.12 

—1.04 

—0.57 

Cloth  room,  women  and  boys 

4.80 

5.20 

4.86 

+0.06 

—0.34 

Packing  room,  girls  and  boys 

- 

5.59 

6.00 

-. 

+0.41 

Dyers,      .... 

8.93 

6.30 

6.59 

—2.34 

+0.29 

Bundlers, 

8.69 

8.27 

7.84 

--0.85 

—0.43 

Overseers  of  repairs. 

17.33 

18.39 

27.38 

+10.05 

+8.99 

Mechanics, 

12.16 

13.51 

11.60 

—0.56 

—1.91 

Mechanics,  laborers. 

8.72 

7.09 

6.44 

—2.28 

-0.65 

Engineers, 

- 

17.75 

16.96 

• 

—0.79 

Firemen,  . 

- 

9.33 

9.42 

_ 

+0.09 

Overseers  of  yard,  . 

- 

17.37 

12.30 

_ 

—5.07 

Yard  hands,    . 

8.76 

7.69 

7.01 

—1.75 

—0.68 

Watchmen,      . 

- 

9.23 

8.88 

^ 

—0.35 

Teamsters, 

10.67 

9.31 

8.51 

2.16 

0.80 

Glass. 

Blowers,  . 

8.89 

12.00 

21.90 

+13.01 

+9.90 

Kilnmen, 

12.44 

11.36 

12.00 

—0.44 

+0.64 

Polishers, 

17.78 

13.50 

12.00 

-5.78 

—1.50 

Gaffers,    . 

16.00 

20.00 

24.00 

+8.00 

+4.00 

Servitors, 

13.33 

15.00 

21.00 

+7.67 

+6.00 

Foot  makers,  . 

13.33 

12.00 

15.00 

+  1.67 

+3.00 

Pressers,  . 

12.00 

16.11 

18.00 

+6.00 

+1.89 

Gatherers, 

10.67 

12.55 

15.00 

+4.33 

+2.45 

Stickers-up,     . 

7.11 

7.95 

6.72 

-0.39 

1.23 

Ware  wheelers. 

9.11 

8.71 

5.16 

—3.95 

—3.55 

Engravers, 

18.22 

15.00 

17.00 

—1.22 

+2.00 

Mixers,    . 

10.67 

14.33 

12.00 

+1.33 

—2.33 

Men,  not  in  departments 

- 

10.91 

10.16 

_ 

—0.75 

Boys,       .... 

3.56 

4.76 

6.76 

+3.20 

+2.00 

Women  and  girls,  . 

4.44 

5.00 

5.55 

+1.11 

+0.55 

Hosiery. 

Overseers  of  carding,     . 

•       •        . 

• 

17.10 

22.49 

_ 

+5.39 

Young  persons,  carding. 

- 

4.57 

4.45 

^ 

—0.12 

Overseers  of  bleaching  and  dyeing. 

— 

21.50 

17.49 

- 

—4.01 

ifjLj.lJ  u^i|>,i  i;  Pji^jjw    -1-1,*  iiJJMIP 


*?'i3KW^''IWi->*'?piBfr.  ^ '  ?• 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        17 


Table  11.—  Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly   Wages:  1872,  1881,  and 

i<9^  7  — Continued. 


Occcpatioxs. 


Hosiery  —  Con. 
Men,  bleaching  and  dyeing. 
Overseers  of  spinning,    . 
Men  and  boys,  spinning. 
Boarders, 
Finishers,  women, 
Cutters,    . 
Winders, . 
Knitters,  . 
Twisters,  .       . 
Sewing  girls,   . 
Menders, . 

Rotary  knitters,  men,  . 
Engineers,  .  .  , 
Yard  hands  and  watchmen, 

Leather. 
Limers  and  beamers,      . 
Tanners,  .        . 
Shavers,  . 
Finishers, 
Splitters,  . 
Knifemen,       . 
Tablemen,       . 
Foremen, . 

Machines  and  Machinery 
Pattern  makers. 
Iron  moulders, 
Brass  moulders. 
Core  makers,  . 
Blacksmiths,    . 
Blacksmiths'  helpers, 
Machinists, 
Cleaners  and  ohippers. 
Chuckers,        . 
Fitters,     . 
Polishers, 
Setters-up, 
Rivet  heaters,  boys 
Riveters,  . 
Woodworkers, 


Average  Weekly  Wages, 
Standard,  Gold 


1872 


$10.41 


16.00 
13.77 
13.25 


17.60 
14.67 
14.67 

16.00 
10.20 
14.40 


14.40 
12.80 
14.67 


1881 


$8.28 

17.45 

7.63 

7.82 

5.76 

6.16 

5.53 

8.94 

6.00 

6.49 

4.96 

17.86 

17.14 

8.40 

9.05 
8.74 
11.75 
10.18 
17.62 
14.15 
10.03 
26.67 

18.10 
16.40 
15.75 

6.28 
15.75 
10.29 
17.09 

8.64 
11.33 
12.82 

8.59 
13.38 

5.64 
13.05 
14.60 


1897 


$6.36 

23.49 

11.68 

9.34 

4.95 

6.09 

6.22 

7.29 

4.70 

6.56 

5.99 

12.87 

16.81 

6.72 

9.88 

9.00 
14.72 

8.68 
22.49 
14.50 

9.00 
19.00 

13.72 

11.81 

14.56 

6.95 

12.95 

7.80 

11.05 

8.26 

9.60 

9.33 

7.98 

10.36 

6.44 

15.12 

10.14 


Increase 
(+),or 
Decrease 
(-),  in 
1897 
as  Com- 
pared with 
1878 


Increase 
(+),or 
Decrease 
(-),  in 
1897 
as  Com- 
pared witb 
1981 


—$1.41 


+6.49 
+0.73 
—4.25 


—3.88 
—2.86 
—0.11 

—3.05 
—2.40 
—3.35 


—5.07 
—2.44 
-1-0.45 


-$1.92 
+6.04 
+4.05 
+1.52 
—0.81 
—0.07 
+0.69 
—1.65. 
—1.30 
+0.07 
+1.03 
—4.99 
—0.33 
—1.68 

+0.82, 
+0.26 
+2.97 
—1.50 
+4.87 
+0.35 
—1.03 
-7.67 


1.38 
L59 
—1.19 
+0.67 
—2.80 
-2.49 
—6.04 
—0.38 
—1.73 
—3.49 
—0.61 
—3.02 
+0.80 
+2.07 
-4.46 


li 


H 


18 


STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


Table  IT. —  Compar 

isons 

of  Average  We 

ekly  W( 

ages:  1< 

S72,  IS 

Sit  and 

ISO  7      Contic 

ued. 

i 

Increase 

Increase 

OCCUPATION-3. 

AvERAGii:  Weekly  Wages, 
Standard,  Gold 

(4-),  or 

Decrease 

(-),  in 

1897 

as  Com- 

(+),or 
Decrease 

(-),  ia 
1897 

as  (Jom- 

' 

1872 

18S1 

1897 

pared  with 
1872 

narert  with 
1881 

Machines  and  Machinery  — Con. 

Painters, 

$12.23 

$8.62 

- 

—$3.61 

Laborers, 

$8.53 

9.15 

7.42 

-$1.11 

-1.73 

"Watchmen, 

- 

12.21 

8.28 

- 

—3.93 

Teamsters, 

11.80 

9.48  1 

- 

—2.32 

Metals  and  Metallic  Goods. 

Hammermen 

- 

18.00 

19.22 

- 

+1.22 

Heaters,  .... 

21.33 

27.77 

16.46  ! 

—4.87 

—11.31 

Rollers,    .... 

10.67 

16.40 

13.82  , 

+3.15 

—2.58 

Puddlers, 

24.00 

20.91 

13.08 

—10.92 

—7.83 

Shinglers, 

24.00 

22.94 

13.50 

—10.50 

—9.44 

Helpers,  .... 

- 

12.00 

9.97 

—2.03 

Wire  drawers, 

- 

10.50 

7.53 

- 

—2.97 

Annealers  and  cleaners,  . 

- 

8.40 

10.73 

- 

+2.33 

Roughers, 

- 

15.00 

14.63 

- 

—0.37 

Finishers, 

- 

28.87 

11.50 

- 

-17.37 

Billeters 

- 

8.80 

15.45 

- 

+6.65 

Stockers,  .... 

- 

8.80 

10.63 

- 

+1.83 

Strikers-in, 

- 

8.58 

8.42 

^ 

—0.16 

Brickmasons,  . 

- 

16.50 

13.99  1 

- 

—2.51 

Brickraasons'  helpers, 

- 

9.27 

8.70  ■ 

- 

—0.57 

Sinkers,    . 

- 

19.08 

24.00  , 

- 

+4.92 

Machinists, 

- 

16.05 

12.78  I 

- 

—3.27 

Laborers, 

9.33 

8.11 

8.12  . 

—1.21 

+0.01 

Metals  and  Metallic  Goods  (Fine 

Work). 

1 

"Woodworkers, 

- 

12.17 

15.29 

- 

+3.12 

"W^omen,  .... 

- 

6.63 

8.40 

1 

- 

+1.77 

Boys  and  girls. 

- 

4.79 

5.53 

- 

+0.74 

Moulders, 

- 

12.97 

14.21 

- 

+1.24 

Gold  workers, . 

- 

19.29 

17.75 

- 

—1.54 

Steel  workers, . 

- 

14.71 

15.91 

- 

+1.20 

Metal  workers. 

- 

11.46 

13.62 

- 

+2.16 

"Watchmen, 

- 

11.00 

10.00 

- 

—1.00 

Engineers, 

- 

15.00 

13.51 

- 

—1.49 

Musical  Instruments. 

Case  makers, 

- 

14.62 

17.40 

- 

+2.78 

"Varnishers, 

- 

17.00 

13.73 

- 

3.27 

Finishers, 

— 

12.25 

20.93 

— 

+8.68 

••  * 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.       19 


Table  ll.—  Comimrisons  of  Average   Weekly  Wages:  1S72,  ISSl,  and 

i<$^  7— Continued. 

Increase 

Increase 

Average  Weekly  Wages, 

(+),or 

(4-),  or 

Standard,  Gold 

Decrease 

Decrease 

Occupations. 

(-),in 
1897 

(-),  in 

lN«t7 

as  Com- 

as Com- 

1872 

1881 

1897 

pared  witli 
1872 

pared  with 
{      1881 

Musical  Instruments  —  Con. 

i 

Millraen, 

- 

$12.37 

$13.25 

- 

+S0.88 

Action  makers, 

. 

. 

•       . 

- 

14.00 

14.85 

— 

+0.85 

Action  makers,  women. 

. 

. 

.       . 

- 

7.50 

10.00 

— 

+2.50 

Tuners,    . 

. 

. 

•       . 

- 

21.25 

22.45 

— 

+1.20 

Laborers, 

. 

. 

.       . 

- 

9.42 

10.20 

- 

+0.78 

Paper. 

Foremen, 

$16.00 

25.25 

14.25 

—$1.75 

11.00 

Millwrights,     . 

16.00 

14.47 

14.34 

—1.06 

—0.13 

Rag  engine  tenders. 

14.67 

10.90 

8.44 

—6.23 

—2.46 

Paper  machine  tenders, 

16.00 

15.50 

17.69 

+1.69 

+2.19 

Thresher- women,    . 

8.89 

7.50 

4.50 

—4.39 

—3.00 

Rag  cutters,     . 

- 

6.78 

6.07 

_ 

—0.71 

Finishers, 

11.33 

12.31 

11.44 

+0.11 

0.87 

Finishers,  girls. 

6.93 

7.58 

6.11 

—0.82 

-1.47 

Finishers'  helpers,  , 

- 

10.50 

10.00 

_ 

—0.50 

Cutters,  girls,  . 

5.33 

5.70 

5.70 

+0.37 

(=) 

Bleachers,        , 

8.89 

6.94 

8.08 

—0.81 

+1.14 

Rag  sorters,     . 

4.00 

4.97 

6.25 

+2.25 

+1.28 

Men  on  stock, . 

9.33 

8.14 

9.52 

+0.19 

+1.38 

Mechanics, 

- 

14.62 

14.42 

. 

—0.20 

Engineers  and  firemen,  . 

10.52 

10.48 

13.31 

+2.79 

+2.83 

Laborers, 

8.33 

7.89 

8.37 

+0.04" 

+0.48 

Printing. 

Job  compositors,     . 

... 

- 

16.00 

15.50 

^ 

—0.5a 

Proof  readers, . 

28.89 

21.81 

28.87 

—0.02 

+7.06. 

Proof  readers,  women,   . 

- 

9.33 

13.75 

■. 

+4.42 

Job  pressmen. 

14.44 

14.55 

13.28 

—1.16 

—1.27 

News-work,     , 

- 

16.61 

23.09 

_ 

+6.48 

Press  feeders,  . 

- 

11.37 

9.67 

_ 

—1.7a 

Press  feeders,  women,    . 

- 

8.58 

4.83 

_ 

—3.75 

Compositors,  daily. 

25.77 

20.00 

21.78 

—3.99 

+1.78: 

Pressmen,  daify,     . 

17.55 

18.00 

18.63 

+1.08 

+0.63 

Book  compositors,  . 

15.22 

13.00 

15.83 

+0.61 

42.8? 

Book  compositors,  women,     , 

7.11 

9.00 

9.67 

+2.56 

+0.61 

Rubber  Goods,  Elastic  Fabrics. 

Rubber  workers, 

- 

8.99 

13.04 

. 

+4.05 

Rubber  workers,  women, 

- 

5.54 

5.59 

^ 

+0.05 

Overseers  of  weavers,     .... 

- 

20.05 

19.00 

- 

—1.05 

I 


r 


I 


^ 


20 


STATISTICS   OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


Table  II. —  Comparisons  of  Average   Weekly   Wages:  1872,  1881,  and 

j^^7_  Continued. 


Increase 

Increase 

Occupations. 

Average  Weekly  Wages, 
Standard,  Gold 

(+),or 

Decrease 

(-),in 

18»7 

as  Com- 

(+),or 

Decrease 

(-),  in 

1897 

as  Com- 

1872 

1881 

1807 

pared  with 
1872 

pared  with 
1881 

Rubber  Goods,  Elastic  Fabrics-Coh. 

Weavers,  women, 

^ 

$7.48 

$10.32 

- 

+$2.84 

Dyers, 

9.42 

8.61 

- 

0.81 

Dyers,  foremen, 

- 

16.00 

15.00 

- 

1.00 

Sewing  girls, 

- 

6.48 

7.35 

- 

+0.87 

Overseers  of  spoolers,     .... 

- 

11.33 

9.00 

- 

—2.33 

Spoolers,  women, 

- 

6.42 

6.50 

- 

+0.08 

Overseers  of  leather  work. 

- 

13.50 

16.50 

- 

+3.00 

Men  on  leather  work,     .... 

- 

7.88 

13.50 

- 

+5.62 

Boys  on  leather  work,    .... 

- 

3.00 

7.00 

- 

+4.00 

Quillers,  boys  and  girls. 

- 

3.46 

3.68 

- 

+0.22 

Woodworkers, 

- 

15.60 

10.50 

- 

—5.10 

Stone. 

Qaarrymen, 

- 

8.00 

9.15 

- 

+1.15 

Paving  cutters,        .       .       •       •       . 

- 

8.00 

6.36 

- 

—1.64 

Stone  cutters, 

- 

14.25 

15.39 

- 

+1.14 

Polishers, 

- 

10.00 

9.32 

- 

0.68 

Blacksmiths, 

- 

11.00 

16.50 

- 

+5.50 

Teamsters, 

- 

10.00 

9.84 

- 

—0.16 

Laborers, 

- 

9.50 

6.62 

- 

—2.88 

Straw  Goods. 

Bleachers,* 

- 

9.00 

10.38 

- 

+1.38 

Blockers, 

- 

12.00 

16.71 

- 

+4.71 

Pressers,  

- 

12.00 

11.27 

- 

—0.73 

Packers, 

- 

10.50 

11.75 

- 

+1.25 

Machine  sewers,      .       .       .       .       . 

- 

9.00 

11.41 

- 

+2.41 

Plaster  block  makers,     .       .       .        . 

- 

10.50 

12.00 

- 

+1.50 

Whittlers, 

- 

18.00 

10.50 

- 

7.50 

Menders, 

- 

9.00 

8.07 

- 

—0.93 

Tippers, 

- 

9.00 

14.00 

- 

+5.00 

Trimmers, 

- 

9.00 

8.33 

- 

—0.67 

Wirers, 

- 

9.00 

11.85 

- 

+2.85 

Machinists, 

- 

18.00 

13.75 

- 

—4.25 

WooLLEX  Goods. 

Wool  sorters, 

$9.50 

9.43 

12.28 

+$2.78 

+2.85 

Washers  and  scourers,    .       .       .        . 

8.00 

8.84 

6.82 

1.18 

—2.02 

Dyers, 

7.95 

7.81 

7.21 

0.74 

—0.60 

Dryers 

7.13 

6.84 

7.20 

+0.07 

+0.36 

Young  persons 

- 

5.12 

5.55 

- 

+0.43 

No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        21 

Table  II.  —  Comparisons  of  Average  Weekly  Wages:  1872,  1881,  and 

i<9^7  — Concluded. 


OCCUPATIOMS. 


Average  Weekly  Wages, 
Standard,  Gold 


1872 


1881 


WooLLEx  Goods  —  Con. 
Dyers  and  scourers, 
Washers, . 
Drj'^ers  and  pickers, 
Scourers, . 
Carders,  . 
Carders,  overseers, 
Strippers,         . 
Spinners, . 
Spinners,  boys, 
Spinners,  women. 
Spoolers,  women, 
Spoolers,  girls. 
Dressers  and  warpers, 
Dressers,  • 
Weavers,         . 
Fullers,    . 
Shearers, . 
Giggers,  . 
Burlers,   . 
Burlers,  women, 
Burlers,  girls,  . 
Finishers, 
Finishers,  women, 
Packers,  .       . 
Pressmen, 
Section  hands, 
Firemen,  . 

Engineers  and  firemen. 
Laborers,         . 
Watchmen, 


$7.30 

9.20 
6.85 


7.71 

7.26 
7.61 
6.25 
4.98 
7.68 
4.91 
8.00 


9.97 
7.86 


$7.01 
7.80 
6.96 
7.07 
8.12 

16.33 
7.57 
9.05 
4.81 
6.18 
4.70 
3.09 
8.64 

10.06 
8.33 
7.35 
8.05 
7.00 
5.09 
5.13 
3.75 
7.53 
5.85 
7.71 
7.68 

12.15 
7.97 

11.07 
8.58 
9.63 


1807 


$6.28 
6.96 
6.24 
5.51 
7.59 

30.00 
7.00 

10.89 
7.37 
6.38 
5.82 
4.52 
9.62 

10.70 
8.64 
7.30 
6.71 
7.10 
5.44 
5.64 
5.32 
8.31 
6.04 

10.22 
9.05 

12.35 
9.44 

13.29 
6.73 

10.50 


Increase      Increase 

(+),or        (+).or 

Decrease     Decrease 

(-),  HI        (-),  in 

1897  1897 

as  Com-       as  Com- 
pared with  pared  with 

1872      I      1881 


+$0.29 

+1.69 
—0.47 


—0.41 

—0.16 
—2.17 
—0.61 
+0.34 
+0.63 
+1.13 
+2.22 


—0.53 


—1.13 


—$0.73 
—0.84 
—0.72 
—1.56 
—0.53 

+13.67 
—0.57 
+1.84 
+2.56 
+0.20 
+1.12 
+1.43 
+0.98 
+0.64 
+0.31 
—0.05 
—1.34 
+0.10 
+0.35 
+0.51 
+1.57 
+0.78 
+0.19 
+2.51 
+1.37 
+0.20 
+1.47 
+2.22 
—1.85 
+0.87 


We  reserve  our  textual  analysis  of  the  presentation  as  to 
wages  until  later,  introducinor  next  that  relatins:  to  average 
retail  prices,  the  first  section,  designated  as  Table  III,  showing 
quotations  for  1860,  1872, 1878,  1881,  and  1897,  covering  cer- 
tain standard  articles  of  ordinary  household  consumption  classi- 
fied as  groceries,  provisions,  fuel,  dry  goods,  and  boots,  and 
also  rents  and  board. 


I 


P 


M«<Q|#-. 


22 


STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


Table  l\h^ Average  Retail  Prices:  1S60-1897. 


Articles. 


Groceries. 
Flonr,  wheat,  superflue 
Flour,  wheat,  family 
Flour,  rye 
Corn  meal, 
Codfish,  dry     . 
Rice,         .... 
Beans,       .... 
Tea,  oolong 
Coffee,  liio,  green  . 
Coffee,  roasted 
Sugar,  good  brown 
Sugar,  coffee    . 
Sugar,  granulated   . 
MolaBses,  New  Orleans  . 
MolasseB,  Porto  Rico 

Syrup 

Soap,  common 

Starch,      .... 

Provisions. 
Beef,  roasting 
Beef,  soup 
Beef,  rump  steak    . 
Beef,  corned    . 
Veal,  fore-quarter  . 
Veal,  hind-quarter  . 
Veal,  cutlets    . 
Mutton,  fore-quarter 
Mutton,  leg 
Mutton,  chops 
Pork,  fresh 
Pork,  salted 
Hams,  smoked 
Shoulders,  corned  . 
Sausages, 
Lard,         .        .        .        . 

Butter 

Cheese,     .        .        .        . 

Potatoes 

Milk,        .       .       .       . 
Eggs 


Fuel. 


Coal, 

Wood,  hard 
Wood,  pine 

Dry  Goods. 

Shirting,  4-4  brown 
Shirting,  4-4  bleached 
Sheeting,  9-8  brown 


Basis 
of  Quan- 
tities 


barrel 

barrel 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

quart 

pound 

pound 

poimd 

pound 

pound 

pound 

gallon 

gallon 

gallon 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

poxmd 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

bushel 

quart 

dozen 

ton 

cord 

cord 

yard 
yard 
yard 


Average  Retail  Prices,  Standard,  Gold 


1860 


1872 


1878 


1881 


$7.61 
7.14 
0.03 
0.02}^ 
0.05«^ 
0.07>^ 
0.08 
0.54% 
0.21>^ 
0.23 
0.08>i 
0.09 
0.10»4 
0.50X 
0.57^i 
0.63% 
0.08% 
0.11 

0.11 

0.04% 

0.14% 

0.06^ 

0.07% 

0.11 

0.14 

0.07  i4 

0.12>i 

0.13% 

0.11 

0.11 

0.13 

0.08% 

0.113i 

0.13% 

0.21% 

0.13% 

0.59 

0.04% 

0.20% 


6.40 
6.49 
4.42 

0.09'^ 
0.10% 
0.10% 


$10.75 
12.75 
O.OSJi 
0.01% 

0.08^4' 

0.11)^ 

0.09% 

0.69 

0.34% 

0.42% 

O.lOJi 

0.10>^ 

0.12 

0.70 

0.76Ji 

0.75 

0.08 

0.12% 

0.19 

0.07% 

0.29% 

0.10% 

0.10% 

0.17 

0.28% 

0.10)^ 

0.19 

0.15»^ 

0.12% 

0.11 

0.13% 

0.10% 

0.12% 

0.14% 

0.39% 

0.17% 

1.02 

0.08 

0.30 

9.25 

10.12% 

7.00 

0.13 
0.16 
0.14 


$8.63 
7.96 
0.03% 
0.02 
0.06 
0.09% 
0.08% 
0.60% 
0.233i 
0.26% 
0.08% 
0.09% 
0.10 
0.57% 
0.68 
0.86% 
0.08 
0.09% 

0.14% 

0.05% 

0.20% 

0.08 

0.10% 

0.15% 

0.20 

0.10% 

0.17% 

0.18% 

0.10 

0.09% 

0.12% 

0.091^ 

0.11% 

0.10% 

0.25% 

0.12«4 
0.97% 
0.05% 
0.25 

6.45 
6.74 
5.04 

0.07% 
0.09% 
0.09 


1897 


8.57 

0.04% 

0.03% 

0.07% 

0.09% 

0.13% 

0.58 

0.18% 

0.28% 

0.09% 

0.10 

0.11 

0.66% 

0.62% 

0.76% 

0.06% 

0.09% 

0.17 

0.05% 

0.20% 

0.10% 

0.11% 

0.15% 

0.20 

0.11% 

0.16% 

O.lSVs 

0.13 

0.13% 

0.15% 

0.12 

0.13% 

0.14% 

0.34% 

0.17% 

1.25% 

0.06 

0.32% 

7.83% 
8.96% 
7.09 

0.08% 

0.11 

0.10% 


$6,621,^ 
5.80 

0.03^6 
0.03 

0.07JJio 

0.07% 

0.07 

0.46?^ 

0.3114 

0.28 

0.04-/9 

0.04% 

0.05% 

0.50 

0.49V'2 
0.52% 
0.04^4 
0.07Vi 

0.14^^8 
0.05% 

0.25% 
0.09% 
0.08 

0.127/9 
0.21}4 

0.07% 

0.11% 

0.20 

0.10 

0.09% 

0.13V8 
0.09 
0.10% 
0.08 

0.24% 

0.14 

1.01% 

0.05% 

0.23% 

6.00 

8.41% 

6.97 

0.08% 
0.08V<2 
0.08% 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        23 

Table  III.  —  Average  Retail  Prices :  1860-1897 — Concluded. 


Articles. 


Basis 

ofQuan- 

titles 


Dry  Goods  — Con. 
Sheeting,  9-8  bleached    . 
Cotton  flannel, 
Ticking,    .... 
Prints,      .... 

Boots. 
Men's  heavy,    .        .        . 

Rents. 
Four-room  tenements,    . 
Six-room  tenements, 

Board. 
Men,         .... 

Women 


yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 

pair 

month 
month 

week 
week 


Average  Retail  Prices,  Standard,  Gold 


1860 


1872 


1878 


1881 


1897 


$0.13% 

$0.19% 

$0.11% 

$0.13% 

0.15% 

0.27% 

0.14% 

0.16 

0.17J^ 

0.24 

0.17% 

0.16% 

0.11 

0.11% 

0.07% 

0.07% 

2.75 

3.94 

3.24 

3.18% 

4.45 

14.75 

6.55 

7.99 

7.54 

16.00 

9.43 

12.25 

2.79 

5.62 

4.19 

4.75 

1.79 

3.75 

2.63 

3.00 

$0.09% 
0.10 
0.11 
0.05% 

2.05% 

8.63% 
11.61 

4.62 
3.66 


The  next  section  of  the  presentation  relating  to  prices,  fol- 
lowing the  arrangement  of  that  relating  to  wages,  brings  for- 
ward for  direct  comparison  the  quotations  for  1872,  1881,  and 
1897,  showing  also  the  increase  (-[-)  or  decrease  ( — )  in  1897 
in  dollars  as  compared  with  each  of  these  two  preceding  years. 


This  is  designated  as  Table  lY. 


Table  TV.  —  Comjmrisons  of  Average  Retail  Prices 

:  1872 

,1881,andl897. 

Articles. 

Basis 

ofQuan- 

tities 

Average  Retail  Prices, 
Standard,  (Jold 

Increase 
(+),  or 
Decrease 
(-),  in 
1897 
as  Com- 
pared with 
1872 

Increase 
(+),  or 

Decrease 

(-),in 

1897 

1872 

1881 

1897 

as  Com- 
pared with 
1881 

Groceries. 

Flour,  wheat,  superfine 

barrel 

$10.75 

$9.91% 

$6.62% 

-$4.12% 

—$3.29 

Flour,  wheat,  family 

barrel 

12.75 

8.57 

5.80 

—6.95 

— 2.7T 

Flour,  rye 

pound 

0.03% 

0.04% 

0.03% 

— O.OOVia 

-0.01% 

Corn  meal. 

pound 

0.01% 

0.03% 

0.03 

+0.01% 

-0.00% 

Codfish,  dry     . 

pound 

0.08% 

0.07% 

0.07%o 

—0.01 

— O.OOVfe 

Rice, 

pound 

0.11% 

0.09% 

0.07% 

—0.03% 

—0.01% 

Beans,       .      ' . 

quart 

0.09% 

0.13U' 

0.07 

—0.02% 

—0.06% 

Tea,  oolong      . 

pound 

0.69 

0.58 

0.46% 

-0.22% 

-0.11% 

Coffee,  Rio,  green  . 

pound 

0.34% 

0.18% 

0.31% 

-0.03V2O 

-fO.12%0 

Coffee,  roasted 

pound 

0.42% 

0.28% 

0.28 

—0.14% 

—0.00% 

Sugar,  good  brown 

pound 

0.10% 

0.09% 

0.04% 

—0.05% 

-0.04% 

Sugar,  coffee    . 

pound 

0.10% 

0.10 

0.04% 

—0.05% 

—0.05% 

Sugar,  granulated   . 

pound 

0.12 

0.11 

0.05% 

—0.06% 

-0.05% 

Molasses,  New  Orleans  . 

gallon 

0.70 

0.66% 

0.50 

—0.20 

—0.16% 

Molasses,  Porto  Rico      , 

gallon 

0.76«^ 

0.62% 

0.49V^ 

— 0.26}4 

-0.12% 

I 


( 


Mlli»— 


24 


STATISTICS   OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


Table  W .— Comparisons  of  Average  Betail  Prices:  1872,  18S1,  and 

1897  —  Concluded. 


Abticles. 


Groceries  —  Con 
Syrup, 

Boap,  common 
Starch,      . 

Provisions. 
Beef,  roasting  . 
Beef,  eoup 
Beef,  romp  steak 
Beef,  corned     . 
Veal,  fore-quarter 
Veal,  hiud-quarter 
Veal,  cutlets    . 
Mutton,  fore-quarter 
Mutton,  leg 
Mutton,  chops 
Pork,  fresh 
Pork,  salted     . 
Hams,  smoked 
Shoulders,  corned 
Sausages, 
Lard, 
Butter,      . 
Cheese,     . 
Potatoes,  . 
Milk, 
Eggs, 


Fuel 


Coal, 

Wood,  hard 
Wood,  pine 

Dry  Goods 
Shirting,  4-4  brown 
Shirting,  4-4  bleached 
Sheeting,  9-8  brown 
Sheeting,  9-8  bleached 
Cotton  flannel, 
Ticking,   . 
Prints.      . 


Boots. 


Men's  heavy,   . 

Rents. 
Four-room  tenements, 
Six-room  tenements. 

Board. 


Men, 
Women, 


Basis 
of  Quan- 
tities 


gallon 
pound 
pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

poimd 

bushel 

quart 

dozen 

ton 

cord 

cord 

yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 

pair 

month 
month 

week 
week 


Average  Retail  Prices, 
Standard,  Oold 


1872 


1881 


1897 


$0.75 
0.08 
0.W4 

0.19 

0.07>^ 

0.29 >i 

O.IOK 

O.IOK 

0.17 

0.28^^ 

0.10>i 

0.19 

0.15>4 

0.12>^ 

0.11 

0.13>^ 

0.10>^ 

0.12>^ 

0.14% 

0.395^ 

0.17>^ 

1.02 

0.08 

0.30 

9.25 

10.12 >^ 

7.00 

0.13 

0.16 

0.14 

0  19>i 

0.27^ 

0  24 

0.11% 

3.94 

14.75 
16.00 

5.62 
3.75 


$0.76% 
0.06'J4 
0.0914 

0.17 

0.05V2 

0.201/4 

O.IOVj 

0.11% 

0.15% 

0.20 

O.llVa 

O.I614 

0.181^ 

0.13 

0.13V4 

0.15V4 

0.12 

0.13^2 
0.14% 

0.343/3 

o.nVi 

1.25% 

0.06 

0.32^2 

7.83% 
8.96% 
7.09 

0.08% 

0.11 

0.10% 

0.13% 

0.16 

0.16% 

0.073/4 

3.18% 

7.99 
12.25 

4.75 
3.00 


$0.52% 

0.04V4 
0.07i,& 

0.14% 
0.05% 

0.25% 

0.09% 

0.08 

0.12% 

0.21% 

0.071,^ 

0.11% 

0.20 

0.10 

0.09% 

0.13^8 

0.09 

0.10% 

0.08 

0.24% 

0.14 

1.01% 

0.05% 

0.23% 

6.00 

8.41% 

6.97 

0.08% 

0.08% 

0.08% 

0.09-% 

0.10 

0.11 

0.05% 

2.05% 

8.63% 
11.61 

4.62 
3.66 


Increase 
(4-)i  or 
Decrease 
(-).  in 
1H07 
as  Com- 
pared with 
1H72 


Increase 
(+),  or 
Decrease 
(-),ln 
1897 
as  Com- 
pared with 
1881 


-$0.22V^ 
-0.03% 
-0.05%o 

—0.04% 

-0.01%o 
—0.03% 
— 0.01%4 
—0.02% 
—0.04% 
-0.061,^2 
— 0.03V^ 
—0.07% 
+0.04% 
—0.02% 
—0.01% 
-O.OOV'e 
—0.01% 
-0.01% 
-0.06% 
— 0.14i%2 
— 0.03V2 
-0.00% 

-0.02^3 
—0.06% 

—3.25 

-1.71% 

—0.03 

—0.04% 
-0.07% 
-0.05% 
—0.09% 

-0.17V2 
—0.13 

— 0.06%2 

—1.88% 

-6.11% 
-4.39 

—1.00 
—0.09 


—$0.23% 
—0.021/2 
-O.O2V20 

—0.02% 

+0.00Vio 

+0.05%2 

—0.00% 

—0.03% 

— 0.02i%8 
+0.01% 
—0.04% 
—0.04% 
+0.01% 
—0.03 
-0.04%e 

— 0.01l%2 

-0.03 

-0.02% 

—0.06% 

-0.10% 

—0.03% 

— 0.24%2 

—0.00% 

—0.09 

-1.83% 

— 0.55%2 
—0.12 

—0.00% 

— 0.02V'2 

—0.02% 

—0.04 

-0.06 

—0.05% 

— 0.02%2 

-1.13% 

+0.645/y 

—0.64 

—0.13 
+0.66 


♦     ♦ 


•     ♦ 


*  % 


•     » 


*  % 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        25 

The  fifth  section  of  the  preseDtation  is  designated  as  Table 
V.  This  shows  the  purchase  power  of  money  for  all  of  the 
years  previously  compared,  by  means  of  a  statement  of  the 
quantity  of  commodities  which  could  be  bought  for  one  dollar 
in  1860,  1872,  1878,  1881,  and  181)7. 

Table  V.  —Purchase  Power  of  Money:  1860-1897. 


Articles. 


What  One  Dollar  Would  But  ix  — 


1860 


1872 


1878 


1881 


Groceries. 
Flour,  wheat,  superfine 
Flour,  wheat,  family 
Flour,  rye 
Corn  meal, 
CodfiBh,  dry 
Eice, . 
Beans, 
Tea,  oolong 
Coffee,  Rio,  green 
Coffee,  roasted 
Sugar,  good  hrown 
Sugar,  coffee    . 
Sugar,  granulated 
Molasses,  New  Orleans 
Molasses,  Porto  Rico 
Syrup, 

Soap,  common . 
Starch,      .       , 

Provisions. 
Beef,  roasting  . 
Beef,  soup 
Beef,  rump  steak 
Beef,  corned     . 
Veal,  fore-quarter 
Veal,  hind-quarter 
Veal,  cutlets     . 
Mutton,  fore-quarter 
Mutton,  leg 
Mutton,  chops  . 
Pork,  fresh 
Pork,  salted      . 
Hams,  smoked 
Shoulders,  corned 
Sausages, 
Lard, 
Butter, 
Cheese, 
Potatoes, 
Milk, . 
Eggs, 


25.64  lbs. 
27.77  lbs. 
33.33  lbs. 
45.45  lbs. 
18.87  lbs. 
13.33  lbs. 
12.66  qts. 

1.83  lbs. 

4.67  lbs. 

4.36  lbs. 
12.19  lbs. 
10.99  lbs. 

9.70  lbs. 

1.97  gals. 

1.73  gals. 

1.57  gals. 
11.49  lbs. 

9.18  lbs. 

9.18  lbs. 
20.83  lbs. 

6.85  lbs. 
15.38  lbs. 
13.70  lbs. 

9.18  lbs. 

7.09  lbs. 
13.51  lbs. 

8.07  lbs. 

7.46  lbs. 

9.26  lbs. 

9.09  lbs. 

7.75  lbs. 
11.49  lbs. 

8.77  lbs. 

7.57  lbs. 

4.58  lbs. 
7.52  lbs. 
1.67  bu. 

21.27  qts. 
4.92  doz. 


18.18  lbs. 

15.38  lbs. 

31.25  lbs. 

55.55  lbs. 

12.20  lbs. 

8.93  lbs. 

10.52  qts. 

1.45  lbs. 

2.92  lbs. 

2.35  lbs. 

9.80  lbs. 

9.52  lbs. 

8.33  lbs. 

1.43  gals. 

1.31  gals. 

1.33  gals. 

12.50  lbs. 

8.19  lbs. 

5.26  lbs. 

13.33  lbs. 

3.39  lbs. 

9.52  lbs. 

9.52  lbs. 

5.85  lbs. 

3.54  lbs. 

9.80  lbs. 

5.26  lbs. 

6.51  lbs. 

8.00  lbs. 

9.09  lbs. 

7.41  lbs. 

9.80  lbs. 

8.00  lbs. 

7.87  lbs. 

2.55  lbs. 

5.71  lbs. 

0.97  bu. 

12.50  qts. 

3.33  doz. 

22.72  lbs. 
25.00  lbs. 
28.57  lbs. 

47.62  lbs. 
16.67  lbs. 
10.87  lbs. 
12.05  qts. 

1.66  lbs. 
4.22  lbs. 

3.77  lbs. 

11.63  lbs. 

10.64  lbs. 
10.00  lbs. 

1.74  gals. 

1.45  gals. 

1.16  gals. 
12.34  lbs. 
10.64  lbs. 

6.94  lbs. 
18.86  lbs. 

4.85  lbs. 
12.34  lbs. 

9.80  lbs. 

6.53  lbs. 

5.05  lbs. 

9.70  lbs. 

5.78  lbs. 
5.40  lbs. 

10.00  lbs. 
10.31  lbs. 

8.07  lbs. 
10.75  lbs. 

8.84  Ibd. 

9.34  lbs. 

3.97  lbs. 

8.13  lbs. 

1.03  bu. 
18.86  qts. 

4.01  doz. 


19.76  lbs. 
22.87  lbs. 
22.22  lbs. 
32.00  lbs. 
13.33  lbs. 
10.25  lbs. 

7.54  qts. 

1.72  lbs. 

5.40  lbs. 

3.47  lbs. 
10.95  lbs. 
10.00  lbs. 

9.09  lbs. 

1.50  gals. 

1.60  gals. 

1.30  gals. 
14.81  lbs. 
10.81  lbs. 

5.88  lbs. 
18.18  lbs. 
4.93  lbs. 
9.75  lbs. 
8.50  lbs. 
6.34  lbs. 
6.00  lbs. 
8.82  lbs. 
5.97  lbs. 

5.48  lbs. 
7.69  lbs. 
7.54  lbs. 
6.5.1  lbs. 
8.33  lbs. 
7.47  lbs. 
6.77  lbs. 
2.88  lbs. 
5.71  lbs. 
0.79  bu. 

16.66  qts. 
3.07  doz. 


1897 


30.30  lbs. 
34.48  lbs. 
32.26  lbs. 
34.48  lbs. 
13.89  lbs. 
12.82  lbs. 
14.29  qts. 

2.16  lbs. 

8.21 IbB. 

3.57  lbs. 
21.28  lbs. 
21.74  lbs. 
17.86  lbs. 

2.00  gals. 

2.02  gals. 

1.89  gals. 
23.81  lbs. 
14.08  lbs. 

6.85  lbs. 

17.86  lbs. 
3.89  lbs. 

10.64  lbs. 
12.66  lbs. 

7.87  lbs. 

4.61  lbs. 
14.08  lbs. 

8.55  lbs. 

5.05  lbs. 
10.00  lbs. 

10.87  lbs. 
7.52  lbs. 

11.24  lbs. 

9.26  lbs. 
12.66  lbs. 

4.13  lbs. 

7.19  lbs. 

0.99  bu, 

17.86  qts. 

4.27  doz. 


I 
I 


I 

J: 

S 

■t 


26 


STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 

Table  V.  —  Purchase  Poiver  of  Money :  18 60-lS 9 7  — Continued. 


Articles. 


What  One  Dollar  Would  Bcy  in  — 


I860 


1878 


1878 


Fuel. 
Coal 

Wood,  hard 

Wood,  pine      . 

Dbt  Goods. 
Shirting,  4-4  brown 
Shirting,  4-4  bleached 
Sheeting,  9-8  brown 
Sheeting,  9-8  bleached 
Cotton  flannel, . 
Ticking,    . 
Prints, 

Boots. 

Men's  heavy,    . 


1881 


1897 


312.50  lbs. 
1.23  ft. 
1.90  ft. 

10.87  yds. 
9.26  yds. 
9.34  yds. 
7.57  yds. 
6.33  yds. 
5.81yds, 
9.09  yds. 

#2.75  per  pr. 


217.39  lbs. 
0.79  ft. 
1.14  ft. 

7.69  yds. 
6.25  yds. 
7.14  yds. 
6.13  yds. 
3.63  yds. 
4.17  yds. 
8.55  yds. 


310.56  lbs. 
1.18  ft. 
1.58  ft. 

13.33  yds. 
10.64  yds. 
11.11  yds. 

8.47  yds. 

6.80  yds. 

5.78  yds. 
12.98  yds. 


255.18  lbs. 
0.89  ft. 
1.12  ft. 

11.42  yds. 

9.09  yds. 

9.30  yds. 

7.27  yds. 

6.25  yds. 

5.97  yds. 
12.90  yds. 


333.33  lbs. 
0.95  ft. 
1.15  ft. 

11.76  yds. 
11.76  yds. 
11.76  yds. 
10.31  yds. 
10.00  yds. 
9.09  yds. 
18.87  yds. 


$3.94  per  pr.  $3.24  per  pr.  $3,183/4  per  pr.  $2.05V2perpr 


Table  Yl.  — Purchase  Power  of  Money  —  Increases  and  Decreases. 


Articles. 


What  One  Dollar  Wocld  Buy  in  ■ 


1872 


Groceries. 
Flour,  wheat,  superfine 
Flour,  wheat,  family 
Flour,  rye 
Corn  meal, 
Codfish,  dry 
Rice, 

Beans,     . 
Tea,  oolong 
Coffee,  Rio,  green  . 
Coffee,  roasted 
Sugar,  good  brown 
Sugar,  coffee   . 
Sugar,  granulated  . 
Molasses,  New  Orleans 
Molasses,  Porto  Rico 
Syrup,     . 
Soap,  common 
Starch,     . 

Provisions. 
Beef,  roasting . 
Beef,  soup 


18.18  lbs. 
15.38  lbs. 
31.25  lbs. 
55.55  lbs. 
12.20  lbs. 

8.93  lbs. 
10.52  qts. 

1.45  lbs. 

2.92  lbs. 

2.35  lbs. 

9.80  lbs. 

9.52  lbs. 

8.33  lbs. 

1.43  gals. 

1.31  gals. 

1.33  gals. 
12,50  lbs. 

8.19  lbs. 

5.26  lbs. 
13.33  lbs. 


1881 

18»7 

19.76  lbs. 

30.30  lbs. 

22.87  lbs. 

34.48  lbs. 

22.22  lbs. 

32.26  lbs. 

32.00  lbs. 

34.48  lbs. 

13.33  lbs. 

13.89  lbs. 

10.25  lbs. 

12.82  lbs. 

7.54  qts. 

14.29  qts. 

1.72  lbs. 

2.16  lbs. 

5.40  lbs. 

3.21  lbs. 

3.47  lbs. 

3.57  lbs. 

10.95  lbs. 

21.28  lbs. 

10.00  lbs. 

21.74  lbs. 

9.09  lbs. 

17.86  lbs. 

1.50  gals. 

1.60  gals. 

1.30  gals. 
14.81  lbs. 
10.81  lbs. 

5.88  lbs. 
18.18  lbs. 


2.00  gals. 

2.02  gals. 

1.89  gals. 
23.81  lbs. 
14.08  lbs. 

6.85  lbs. 
17.86  lbs. 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.       27 

Table  Y.  — Purchase  Power  of  Money :  1860-1897  —  Concluded. 


Articles. 

What  One  Dollar  Would  Buy  in  — 

1860 

1872 

1878 

1881 

1897 

Rents. 
Four-room  tenements,     . 
Six-room  tenements, 

Board. 
Men, 

Women 

6.75  days 
3.98  days 

2.51  days 
3.92  days 

2.03  days 
1.87  days 

1.24  days 
1.87  days 

5.40  days 
3.18  days 

1.67  days 
2.63  days 

3.75  da  JS 
2.45  days 

1.47  days 
2.33  days 

3.53  days 
2.62  days 

1.52  days 
1.92  days 

The  final  section,  Table  YI,  brings  forward  the  quantities 
purchasable  for  one  dollar  in  1872,  1881,  and  1897  with  com- 
parisons showing  the  increase  (-}-)  or  decrease  ( — )  both  in 
amounts  and  percentages,  in  1897  as  compared  with  the  two 
preceding  years  mentioned. 


Table  VI.  —  Purchase  Power  of  Money  —  Increases  and  Decreases. 

Articles. 

Increase 

Decrease  (— , 

Compared  ^ 

(+),   OR 

1.  IX  18»7  as 
WITH  1878 

Increase 

Decrease  (— ; 
Compared  ^ 

(+),   OR 
1,    IN   1897  AS 
H'lTH   1881 

Number 

Percentages 

Number 

Percentiiges 

Groceries. 

Flour,  wheat,  superfine . 

-1-12.12  lbs 

+66.67 

+10.54  lbs. 

+53.34 

Flour,  wheat,  family 

-f-19.101bs. 

+124.19 

+11.61  lbs. 

+50.77 

Flour,  rye       .... 

4-1.01  lbs. 

+3.23 

+10.04  lbs. 

+45.18 

Corn  meal,      .... 

-21.07  lbs. 

—37.93 

+2.48  lbs. 

+7.75 

Codfish,  dry    .        .       . 

-f-1.69lbs. 

+13.85 

+0.56  lbs. 

+4.20 

Rice, 

-1-3.89  lbs. 

+43.56 

+2.57  lbs. 

+25.07 

Beans, 

+3.77  qts. 

+35.84 

+6.75  qts. 

+89.52 

Tea,  oolong    .... 

-1-0.71  lbs. 

+48.97 

+0.44  lbs. 

+25.58 

Coffee,  Rio,  green  . 

+0.29  lbs. 

+9.93 

—2.19  lbs. 

—40.56 

Coffee,  roasted 

+1.22  lbs. 

+51.91 

+0.10  lbs. 

+2.88 

Sugar,  good  brown 

+11.48  lbs. 

+117.U 

+10.33  lbs. 

+94.34 

Sugar,  coffee  .... 

+12.22  lbs. 

+128.36 

+11.74  lbs. 

+117.40 

Sugar,  granulated  . 

+9.53  lbs. 

+114.41 

+8.77  lbs. 

+96.48 

Molasses,  New  Orleans  . 

+0.57  gals. 

+39.86 

+0.50  gals 

+33.33 

Molasses,  Porto  Rico     . 

+0.71  gals. 

+54.20 

+0.42  gals. 

+26.25 

Syrup, 

+0.56  gals. 

+42.11 

+0.59  gals 

+45.38 

Soap,  common 

+11.31  lbs. 

+90.48 

+9.00  lbs. 

+60.77 

Starch,    

+5.89  lbs. 

+71.92 

+3.27  lbs. 

+30.25 

Provisions. 

Beef,  roasting 

+1.59  lbs. 

+30.23 

+0.97  lbs. 

+16.50 

Beef,  soup      .... 

+4.53  lbs. 

+33.98 

—0.32  lbs. 

-1.76 

28  STATISTICS   OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 

Table  VI.  —  Furchase  Power  of  Money  —  Increases  and  Decreases 

—  Concluded. 


What  One  Dollar  Would 

Bur  IN  — 

Articles. 

1872 

1881 

1807 

Provisions  —  Con. 

Beef,  rump  steak    .... 

3.39  lbs. 

4.93  lbs. 

3.89  lbs. 

Beef,  corned    . 

9.52  lbs. 

9.75  lbs. 

10.64  lbs. 

Veal,  fore-quarter  . 

9.52  lbs. 

8.50  lbs. 

12.68  lbs. 

Veal,  hind-quarter . 

5.85  lbs. 

6.34  lbs. 

7.87  lbs. 

Veal,  cutlets    . 

3.54  lbs. 

5.00  lbs. 

4.61  lbs. 

Mutton,  fore-quarte 

r 

9.80  lbs. 

8.82  lbs. 

14.08  lbs. 

Mutton,  leg     . 

5.26  lbs. 

5.97  lbs. 

8.55  lbs. 

Mutton,  chops 

6.51  lbs. 

5.48  lbs. 

5.05  lbs. 

J*ork,  fresh     . 

8.00  lbs. 

7.69  lbs. 

10.00  lbs. 

Pork,  salted    . 

9.09  lbs. 

7.54  lbs. 

10.87  lbs. 

Hams,  smoked 

7.41  lbs. 

6.55  lbs. 

7.52  lbs. 

Shoulders,  corned  . 

9.80  lbs. 

8.33  lbs. 

11.24  lbs. 

Sausages, 

8.00  lbs. 

7.47  lbs. 

9.26  lbs. 

Lard, 

7.87  lbs. 

6.77  lbs. 

12.66  lbs. 

Butter,     •       . 

2.55  lbs. 

2.88  lbs. 

4.13  lbs. 

Cheese,    . 

5.71  lbs. 

5.71  lbs. 

7.19  lbs. 

Potatoes, . 

0.97  bu. 

0.79  bu. 

0.99  bu. 

Milk, 

12.50  qts. 

16.66  qts. 

17.86  qts. 

Eggs,       . 

3.33  doz. 

3.07  doz. 

4.27  doz. 

FUE] 

J. 

Coal, 

217.39  lbs. 

255.18  lbs. 

333.33  lbs. 

Wood,  hard    . 

0.79  ft. 

0.89  ft. 

0.95  ft. 

Wood,  pine     . 

1.14  ft. 

1.12  ft. 

1.15  ft. 

Dry  Goods. 

Shirting,  4-4  brown 

7.69  yds. 

11.42  yds. 

11.76  yds. 

Shirting,  4-4  bleached    , 

6.25  yds. 

9.09  yds. 

11.76  yds. 

Sheeting,  9-8  brown 

7.14  yds. 

9.30  yds. 

11.76  yds. 

Sheeting,  9-8  bleached    . 

5.13  yds. 

7.27  yds. 

10.31  yds. 

Cotton  flannel, 

3.63  yds. 

6.25  yds. 

10.00  yds. 

Ticking,  .... 

4.17  yds. 

5.97  yds. 

9.09  yds. 

Prints,     .... 

8.55  yds. 

12.90  yds. 

18.87  yds. 

Boots. 

Men's  heavy, 

$3.94  per  pr. 

$3.18|perpr. 

$2.05iperpr. 

Rents. 

Four-room  tenements,    . 

2.03  days 

3.75  days 

3.53  days 

Six-room  tenements. 

1.87  days 

2.45  days 

2.62  days 

Board. 

Men, 

1.24  days 

1.47  days 

1.52  days 

Women, 

1.87  days 

2.33  days 

1.92  days 

II  I 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        29 

Table  Vl.  — Purchase  Power  of  Money  —  Increases  and  Decreases 

—  Concluded. 


A  wpTOT  Tra 

Increase  (+),  or 

Decrease  (— ),  in  1897  as 

Compared  with  1878 

Increase  (+),  or 

Decrease  (— ),  in  1897  as 

Compared  with  1881 

Number 

Percentages 

Number 

Percentages 

Provisions  —  Con. 

Beef,  rump  steak   .       . 

-1-0.50  lbs. 

+14.75 

—1.04  lbs. 

—21.10 

Beef,  corned  .... 

+1.12  lbs. 

+11.76 

+0.89  lbs. 

+9.13 

Veal,  fore-quarter  . 

-1-3.14  lbs. 

+32.98 

+4.16  lbs. 

+48.94 

Veal,  hind-quarter 

-f2.021b8. 

+34.53 

+1.53  lbs. 

+24.13 

Veal,  cutlets  .... 

+1.07  lbs. 

+30.23 

—0.39  lbs. 

—7.80 

Mutton,  fore-quarter      . 

+4.28  lbs. 

+43.67 

+5.26  lbs. 

+59.64 

Mutton,  leg     . 

+3.29  lbs. 

+62.55 

+2.58  lbs. 

+43.22 

Mutton,  chops 

—1.46  lbs. 

22.43 

—0.43  lbs. 

—7.85 

Pork,  fresh     .... 

+2.00  lbs. 

+25.00 

+2.31  lbs. 

+30.04 

Pork,  salted    .... 

+1.78  lbs. 

+19.58 

+3.33  lbs. 

+44.16 

Hams,  smoked       .        .       • 

+0.11  lbs. 

+1.48 

+0.97  lbs. 

+14.81 

Shoulders,  corned  . 

+1.44  lbs. 

+14.69 

+2.91  lbs. 

+34.93 

Sausages,       .... 

+1.26  lbs. 

+15.75 

+1.79  lbs. 

+23.96 

Lard, 

+4.79  lbs. 

+60.86 

+5.89  lbs. 

+87.00 

Butter, 

+1.58  lbs. 

+61.96 

+1.25  lbs. 

+43.40 

Cheese, 

+1.48  lbs. 

+25.92 

+1.48  lbs. 

+25.92 

Potatoes,        .... 

+0.02  bu. 

+2.06 

+0.20  bu. 

+25.32 

Milk 

+5.36  qts. 

+42.88 

+1.20  qts. 

+7.20 

Eggs, 

+0.94  doz. 

+28.23 

+1.20  doz. 

+39.09 

Fuel. 
Coal,       .       .       .        .        . 

+115.94  lbs. 

+53.33 

+78.15  lbs. 

+30.63 

Wood,  hard    .... 

+0.16  ft. 

+20.25 

+0.06  ft. 

+6.74 

Wood,  pine     .... 

+0.01  ft. 

+0.88 

+0.03  ft. 

+2.68 

Dry  Goods. 

Shirting,  4-4  brown 

+4.07  yds. 

+52.93 

+0.34  yds. 

+2.98 

Shirting,  4-4  bleached    . 

+5.51  yds. 

+88.16 

+2.67  yds. 

+29.37 

Sheeting,  9-8  brown 

+4.62  yds. 

+64.71 

+2.46  yds. 

+26.45 

Sheeting,  9-8  bleached   . 

+5.18  yds. 

+100.97 

+3.04  yds. 

+41.82 

Cotton  flannel,       . 

+6.37  yds. 

+175.48 

+3.75  yds. 

+60.00 

Ticking 

+4.92  yds. 

+117.99 

+3.12  yds. 

+52.26 

Prints, 

+10.32  yds. 

+120.70 

+5.97  yds. 

+46.28 

Boots. 

Men's  heaVy,. 

— fl.SS^perpr. 

—47.84 

— $1.13|perpr. 

—35.53 

Rents. 

Four-room  tenements,  . 

+1.50  days 

+73.89 

—0.22  days 

—5.87- 

Six-room  tenements. 

+0.75  days 

+40.11 

+0.17  days 

+6.94 

Board. 
Men, 

+0.28  days 

.  +22.58 

+0.05  days 

+3.40 

Women, 

+0.05  days 

+2.67 

—0.41  days 

—17.60 

30 


STATISTICS  OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


ANALYSIS. 


In  briefly  analyzing  the  preceding  presentation,  it  should 
first  be  stated  that  the  classification  of  employments  under 
the  diflerent  industries  which  was  made  in  the  earlier  years 
has  been  continued  in  1897.  This  is  defective  in  some  minor 
respects,  and  is  not  precisely  such  a  classification  as  we  should 
make  to-day,  nor  is  it  like  that  employed  in  the  Census.  Nev- 
ertheless, it  seemed  best  to  maintain  it,  notwithstandinof  its 
deficiencies,  in  order  that  the  rates  obtained  in  1897  might  be 
compared  on  the  same  basis  with  those  previously  presented. 

If  the  reader  will  refer  to  Table  II,  pages  12  to  21,  he  will 
note  that  the  wages  of  agricultural  laborers,  per  month,  with 
board,  show  a  material  decline  in  1897  as  compared  with  1872, 
and  a  slight  increase  in  1897  as  compared  with  1881.  The 
quotations  for  daily  wages  without  board  show  a  slight  decrease 
in  1897  as  compared  with  1881. 

In  Blacksmithing,  the  weekly  wages  of  blacksmiths  show 
small  declines  since  1872  and  1881.  In  Boots  and  Shoes,  com- 
paring the  1897  quotations  with  those  for  1881,  the  following 
subdivisions  of  employment  show  declines  :  cutters,  bottomers, 
boot  treers,  finishers,  McKay  operators,  and  also  the  wages  of 
women,  other  than  machine  operators.  The  wages  of  cutters, 
bottomers,  finishers,  heelers,  edge  setters,  McKay  operators, 
beaters-out,  and  trimmers,  also  show  a  decline  in  1897  as  com- 
pared with  1872.  On  the  other  hand,  the  followinor  show  higher 
wages  in  1897  than  in  1881 :  crimpers,  fitters,  buffers,  heelers, 
edge  setters,  shoemakers,*  machine  hands  (women),  beaters- 
out,  and  trimmers;  and  fitters,  shoemakers,*  and  machine 
hands  (women)  also  show  increases  as  compared  with  1872. 

In  the  Building  Trades,  in  1897  as  compared  with  1881,  the 
following  show  a  decline  :  painters  and  glaziers,  steam  and  gas 
fitters,  and  carpenters'  laborers.  Painters  and  glaziers,  steam 
and  gas  fitters,  plasterers,  masons,  and  masons'  and  plasterers' 


•  Not  otherwise  specified. 


* 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        31 

laborers,  also  show  declines  as  compared  with  1872.  Increases 
in  1897  as  against  1881  are  shown  in  the  following  employ- 
ments :  carpenters,  slaters,  paper  hangers,  plumbers,  and  these 
also  show  increases  as  compared  with  1872. 

In  Cabinet  Making,  upholsterers  received  a  lower  rate  in 
1897  than  in  1881  or  1872;  turners,  cabinet  makers,*  and 
millmen  a  lower  rate  than  in  1872  ;  chair  makers,  carvers,  pol- 
ishers and  finishers,  and  upholstery  sewers  (women),  a  higher 
rate  than  in  1872 ;  and  chair  makers,  turners,  carvers,  cabinet 
makers,*  millmen,  polishers  and  finishers,  and  upholstery  sew- 
ers (women),  a  higher  rate  than  in  1881. 

In  Carpetings,  the  following  employments  show  declines  in 
1897  as  compared  with  1881 :  wool  sorters  and  watchmen  ;  and 
the  following  as  compared  with  1872  :  dyers  and  dryers.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  following  show  increases  as  compared  with  1881 : 
wool  washers,  dyers  and  dryers,  weavers,  section  hands,  drawers 
and  spinners,  frame  spinners,  firemen,  machinists  and  carpen- 
ters, laborers,  and  laborers  (boys)  ;  and  weavers,  frame  spinners, 
machinists,  and  carpenters  show  a  higher  wage  than  in  1872. 

In  Carriages,  body  makers,  painters,  carriage-part  makers, 
and  blacksmiths  received  a  lower  wage  in  1897  than  in  1881, 
and  wheelwrights,  trimmers,  and  blacksmiths'  helpers  received 
a  higher  wage.  All  these  employments  show  lower  wage 
quotations  in  1897  than  in  1872. 

In  Clothing  (ready-made),  lower  wage  quotations  in  1897 
than  in  1881  or  1872  are  the  rule,  the  following  employments  com- 
ing within  it:  overseers,  trimmers,  pressers,  basters  (women), 
machine  operators  (women),  finishers  at  home  (women),  finish- 
ers in  shop  (women),  and  custom  finishers  (women).  On  the 
other  hand,  cutters  show  a  slightly  higher  wage  in  1897  than  in 
1881  or  1872,  and  pantaloons  and  vest  makers,  custom  work 
(women)  a  higher  wage  than  in  1881. 

In  Cotton  Goods,  f  the  following  show  lower  wage  quota- 
tions in*  1897  than  in  1881 :  openers  and  pickers,  section 
hands  (carding  and  spinning),  young  persons,*  ring  spinners 
(second  hands),  reeling  and  warping  (young  persons),  dress- 
ers, drawers  (including  room  hands),  twisters  (women),  cloth 
room  (men,  women,  and  boys),  bundlers,  mechanics,  mechanics' 
laborers,  engineers,  overseers  of  yard,  yard  hands,  watchmen, 


Not  otherwise  specified. 


t  See  note  on  page  41,  post. 


¥ 


32 


STATISTICS   OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


and  teamsters.  All  of  these,  so  far  as  comparisons  are  possible 
with  1872,  except  reeling  and  warping  (young  persons),  twisters 
(women),  and  cloth  room  (women  and  boys),  together  with 
strippers,  overseers  of  carding,  second  hands  (carding  and  spin- 
ning), overseers  of  spinning,  drawers  (section  hands  and  third 
hands),  weavers  (six  and  eight  looms),  and  dyers,  show  lower 
quotations  than  in  1872.  The  declines  in  many  cases  are  not 
very  great ;  and  the  following  employments  show  higher  wages 
in  1897  than  in  1881:  openers  and  pickers  (boys),  strippers, 
grinders,  frame  tenders,  drawers,  railway  and  alley  boys,  slub- 
bers, overseers  of  carding,  second  hands  (carding  and  spinning), 
overseers  of  spinning,  general  hands  (spinning),  spare  hands, 
mule  spinners,  back  boys,  doffers,  frame  spinners  (including  girls 
and  boys),  ring  spinners  (overseers,  third  hands,  and  girls),  dof- 
ers  (boys) ,  fly  and  jack  frame  tenders,  reeling  and  warping  (over- 
seers, second  hands,  spare  hands  (girls),  and  spoolers),  warpers, 
dressers  (overseers),  slasher  tenders,  drawers  (section  and  third 
hands) ,  weavers  (including  overseers,  second  hands,  section,  and 
spare  hands,  and  four-loom,  six-loom,  and  eight-loom  weavers), 
bobbin  boys,  cloth  room  (overseers  and  second  hands),  packing 
room  (girls  and  boys),  dyers,  overseers  of  repairs,  and  firemen. 

In  Glass,  the  quotations  for  polishers,  stickers-up,  and  ware 
wheelers  are  lower  in  1897  than  in  1881  or  1872;  and  for 
kilnmen  and  engravers  lower  than  in  1872,  and  for  blowers, 
gafiers,  servitors,  foot  makers,  pressers,  gatherers,  boys,  women 
and  girls,*  higher  in  1897  than  in  1881  or  1872.  The  quotations 
for  kilnmen  and  engravers  are  higher  in  1897  than  in  1881. 

In  Hosiery,  no  comparisons  are  possible  between  1897  and 
1872.  The  following  employments  in  this  industry  show  lower 
quotations  in  1897  than  in  1881:  young  persons  (carding), 
overseers  of  bleaching  and  dyeing,  men  (bleaching  and  dyeing), 
finishers  (women),  cutters,  knitters,  twisters,  rotary  knitters 
(men),  engineers,  yard  hands  and  watchmen;  and  the  follow- 
ing show  higher  quotations  :  overseers  (carding  and  spinning), 
men  and  boys  (spinning),  boarders,  winders,  sewing  girls,  and 
menders. 

In  Leather,  lower  quotations  appear  for  finishers,  tablemen, 
and  foremen  in  1897  than  in  1881 ;  and  the  quotations  for 
tanners  and  tablemen  are  lower  than  in  1872.     On  the  other 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES. 


33 


hand,  the  quotations  for  limers  and  beamers,  tanners,  shavers, 
splitters,  and  knifemen  are  higher  in  1897  than  in  1881,  and 
for  the  last  two  employments  higher  than  in  1872. 

In  Machines  and  Machinery,  core  makers,  rivet  heaters 
(boys),  and  riveters  show  increases  in  1897  over  1881,  and 
for  riveters,  the  quotation  is  higher  than  in  1872,  the  other  two 
employments  not  appearing  in  that  year.  The  other  employ- 
ments in  this  industry  show  declines  in  1897  as  against  1881, 
and,  so  far  as  comparisons  are  possible,  as  compared  with  1872. 
These  comprise  pattern  makers,  iron  moulders,  brass  moulders, 
blacksmiths,  blacksmiths'  helpers,  machinists,  cleaners  and 
chippers,  chuckers,  fitters,  polishers,  setters-up,  woodworkers, 
painters,  laborers,  watchmen,  and  teamsters. 

In  Metals  and  Metallic  Goods,  only  a  few  comparisons  can 
be  made  with  1872.  Six  employments  only  show  increases 
in  1897  as  against  1881,  namely,  hammermen,  annealers  and 
cleaners,  billeters,  stockers,  sinkers,  and  laborers.  All  others 
show  decreases,  comprising  heaters,  rollers,  puddlers,  shinff- 
lers,  helpers,  wire  drawers,  roughers,  finishers,  strikers-in, 
brickmasons,  brickmasons'  helpers,  and  machinists. 

In  Metals  and  Metallic  Goods  (fine  work),  gold  workers, 
watchmen,  and  engineers  show  decreases ;  and  woodworkers, 
women,*  boys  and  girls,*  moulders,  steel  workers,  and  metal 
workers*  show  increases  in  1897  as  against  1881. 

In  Musical  Instruments,  the  following  show  higher  quota- 
tions in  1897  as  against  1881 :  case  makers,  finishers,  mill- 
men,  action  makers  (including  women),  tuners,  and  laborers. 
A  lower  quotation  appears  for  varnishers. 

In  Paper,  decreases  appear  in  1897  as  compared  with  1881 
for  foremen,  millwrights,  rag  engine  tenders,  thresher- women, 
rag  cutters,  finishers  (including  girls),  finishers'  helpers,  and 
mechanics.  All  of  these,  except  finishers,  rag  cutters,  and  me- 
chanics show  lower  quotations  in  1897  than  in  1872.  The  fol- 
lowing show  higher  quotations  in  1897  than  in  1881 :  paper 
machine  tenders,  bleachers,  rag  sorters,  men  on  stock,  eno-i- 
neers  and  firemen,  and  laborers;  and  all  of  these,  except 
bleachers,  are  higher  in  1897  than  in  1872. 

In  Printing,  the  quotations  for  job  compositors,  job  press- 
men, and  press  feeders  (including  women)  are  lower,  and  those 


a 


*  Particular  employment  not  specified. 


*  Particular  employment  not  specified. 


H' 


34 


STATISTICS   OF   LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


j   ■' 


I 


for  proof  readers  (including  women),  news- work,  compositors 
(daily),  pressmen  (daily),  and  book  compositors  (including 
women)  are  higher  in  1897  than  in  1881 ;  and  also,  for  such 
occupations  as  are  comparable,  except  proof  readers  and  com- 
positors (daily),  higher  than  in  1872.  The  quotations  for 
these  last  two  occupations  and  for  job  pressmen  are  lower  in 
1897  than  in  1872. 

In  Rubber  Goods,  Elastic  Fabrics,  there  appear  lower  quota- 
tions in  1897  than  in  1881  for  overseers  of  weavers,  dyers 
(including  foremen),  overseers  of  spoolers,  and  woodworkers; 
and  higher  quotations  for  rubber  workers  *  (including  women), 
weavers  (women),  sewing  girls,  spoolers  (women),  overseers 
of  leather  work,  men  and  boys  on  leather  work,  and  quillers 
(boys  and  girls). 

In  Stone,  the  quotations  for  1897  are  lower  than  in  1881  for 
paving  cutters,  polishers,  teamsters,  and  laborers ;  and  higher 
than  in  1881  for  quarrymen,  stone  cutters,  and  blacksmiths. 

In  Straw  Goods,  pressers,  whittlers,  menders,  trimmers, 
and  machinists  received  lower  rates  in  1897  than  in  1881 ;  and 
bleachers,  blockers,  packers,  machine  sewers,  plaster  block 
makers,  tippers,  and  wirers  received  higher  rates.  No  com- 
parisons can  be  made  between  1897  and  1872  in  the  Rubber 
Goods,  Stone,  and  Straw  Goods  industries. 

In  Woollen  Goods,  the  quotations  in  1897  are  lower  than 
in  1881  for  washers  and  scourers,  dyers,  dyers  and  scourers, 
washers,  dryers  and  pickers,  scourers,  carders,  strippers,  fullers, 
shearers,  and  laborers ;  and  higher  than  in  1881  for  wool  sorters, 
dryers,  young  persons  (washing,  scouring,  and  dyeing  depart- 
ments), carders  (overseers),  spinners  (including  boys  and 
women),  spoolers  (women  and  girls),  dressers  and  warpers, 
dressers,  weavers,  giggers,  burlers  (including  women  and  girls) , 
finishers  (including  women),  packers,  pressmen,  section  hands, 
firemen,  engineers  and  firemen,  and  watchmen.  Comparisons 
with  1872  are  possible  in  only  a  few  instances  in  this  industry. 

In  a  few  instances,  the  classification  of  employments  is  not 
quite  distinct,  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  separating  employ- 
ments which  were  united  in  the  returns.  For  example,  in  the 
Woollen  Goods  industry  there  are  wage  quotations  for  dryers, 
washers,  and  scourers,  separately ;  and  also  for  washers  and 


*  Not  otherwise  specified. 


i 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        35 

scourers,  united;  dryers  and  pickers,  united;  and  dyers  and 
scourers,  united.  Irregularities  of  classification  of  this  kind 
might  have  been  avoided,  if,  as  previously  stated,  the  chissifi- 
cation  for  1897  had  not  been  fixed,  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
parison, by  that  originally  adopted  by  the  Bureau  in  1872. 

It  will  be  seen  that  it  is  not  infrequently  the  case  that 
certain  employments  under  the  different  industry  heads  show 
an  increase  in  the  rate  of  wages  w  hile  others  in  the  same  in- 
dustries show  declines.  Sometimes  the  variation  either  up  or 
down  is  very  slight;  indicating  that,  although  a  change  has 
occurred,  nevertheless,  for  all  practical  pur[)oses,  it  may  be 
said  that  the  wage  level  has  been  maintained.  Again,  while 
the  rate  in  certain  employments  may  have  declined,  these 
employments  may  be  of  such  a  character  that  they  are  of  slight 
importance  in  the  industry ;  and  therefore  it  may  be  fairly  said 
that  the  industry  rate  has  risen  notwithstanding.  Of  course,  the 
contrary  is  equally  true,  and  the  general  rate  in  the  industry 
may  have  fallen  although  in  certain  branches  increases  appear. 

In  order  to  compare  fairly  the  industries  as  a  whole  we  in- 
troduce the  following  analysis  table,  containing  rates  for  each 
industry  computed  from  the  rates  received  and  averaged  for 
the  employments  in  detail.  In  computing  the  average  rate  for 
the  industry,  the  rate  for  each  subdivision  of  employment  has 
been  given  the  same  proportionate  force  or  effect  upon  the 
general  average  that  the  number  of  persons  employed  in  the 
subdivision  bears  to  the  total  number  in  the  industry,  according 
to  the  Census  returns.  In  certain  industries  data  for  enabling 
comparisons  to  be  made  were  either  entirely  absent  or  were  not 
considered  sufficiently  full  for  the  year  1872,  and  therefore 
figures  for  such  industries  do  not  appear  for  that  year. 


Classification  of  Industries. 

Average  "Weekly 
Wages,  Standard,  Gold 

Increase  (-}-), 
or  Decrease  (— ), 
IX  1897  as  Com- 
pared MITH  1878 

Increase  (-J-), 
OR  Decrease  (— ), 
IN  1897  AS  Com- 
pared WITH  1881 

i»< 

187a 

1881 

1897 

Amounts 

Percent- 
ages 

Amounts 

Percent- 
ages 

Agriculture : 

Laborers  per  month,  ^rith 

board 

Laborers  per  day,  without 
board,      .... 
Biacksmithing : 
Blacksmiths, 

^23.09 
16.44 

$18.00 

1.37 

16.38 

$18.50 

1.25 

16.00 

—$4.59 
—0.44 

—19.88 

1 
—2.68 

i 

+$0.50 
—0.12 
—0.38 

+2.78 
—8.76 
—2.32 

36 


STATISTICS   OF  LABOK.  [Pub.  Doc. 


•    • 


V 


Classification  of  Industries. 

AvERAGF.  Weekly 
Wages,  Standard,  Gold 

Increase  {-{-),     \ 

OR  Decrease  (— ),i 

IN  1897  AS  Com-  i 

pared  with  187*1 

INCKKASE  (+), 

OR  Decrease  (— ), 
in  1897  AS  Com- 
pare i>  WITH  1881 

1872   1 

1881       1897 

Amounts 

Percent- 1 
ages 

Amounts  {  Percent- 
1      ages 

Boots  and  shoes, 

$12.71 

$11.06 

$11.90 

—$0.81 

—6.33  I 

+$0.84 

+7.59 

Building  trades, 

15.66 

11.00 

15.83 

+0.17 

+1.09  1 

+4.83 

+43.91 

Cabinet  making, 

14.21 

11.51 

13.02 

—1.19 

-8.37  I 

+1.51 

+13.12 

Carpetings, 

4.89 

5.94 

8.26 

+3.37 

+68.92 

i    +2.32  , 

+39.06 

Carriages, 

17.31  1 

13.43  1     13.51 

-3.80 

—21.95 

:   +0.08  i 

+0.60 

Clothing  (ready-made). 

9.71  t 

10.90 

9.01 

—0.70 

—7.21 

—1.89 

-17.34 

Cotton  goods,   . 

_      1 

~      1 

7.59 

7.71 

- 

- 

+0.12 

+1.58 

Glass, 

_ 

10.68 

12.03 

- 

- 

+1.35 

+12.64 

Hosiery,    . 

- 

10.22 

8.97 

- 

; 

-1.25 

-12.23 

Leather,     . 

- 

11.05 

10.54 

- 

I    —0.51 

-4.62 

Machines  and  machinerj' 

> 

13.84 

16.48 

10.80 

—3.04 

-21.97 

—5.68 

34.47 

Metals  and  metallic  goods. 

6.06 

13.42 

9.51 

+3.45 

+56.93  ■ 

-3.91 

-29.14 

Metals   and     metallic     goods 

(fine  work),      . 

- 

10.07 

11.59 

- 

- 

+1.52 

+15.09 

Musical  instruments. 

- 

15.81 

18.06 

- 

- 

+2.25 

+14.23 

Paper, 

7.37 

9.47 

9.31 

+1.94 

+26.32 

-0.16 

—1.69 

Printing, 

- 

14.95 

19.59 

- 

- 

+4.64 

+31.04 

Rubber  goods,  elastic  fabrics, 

- 

7.56 

9.96 

- 

- 

+2.40 

+31.75 

Stone, 

- 

13.25 

13.87 

- 

- 

+0.62 

+4.68 

Straw  goods 

- 

10.06 

11.60 

- 

- 

+1.64 

+15.31 

Woollen  goods, 

" 

8.12 

8.52 

^ 

" 

+0.40 

+4.93 

In  1897  as  compared  with  1881  the  computed  average  weekly 
wages  show  a  decline  in  the  following  industries,  the  percent- 
asfe  of  decline  beinsr  annexed  in  each  case :  Agriculture,  as 
relates  to  laborers  paid  ])y  the  day  without  board,  8.7(> :  bhick- 
smiths,*  2.32  ;  Clothing  (ready-made),  17.34  ;  Hosiery,  12.23  ; 
Leather,  4.62 ;  Machines  and  Machinery,  34.47  ;  Metals  and 
Metallic  Goods  (not  fine  work),  29.14;  Paper,  1.69;  and  the 
following  show  a  decline  as  compared  with  1872  :  Agriculture, 
as  relates  to  laborers  paid  by  the  month  with  board,  19.88; 
Blacksmiths,*  2.68;  Boots  and  Shoes,  6.33;  Cabinet  Making, 
8.37;  Carriages,  21.95;  Clothing  (ready-made),  7.21;  and 
Machines  and  Machinery,  21.97. 

On  the  other  hand,  an  increase,  measured  by  the  i)ercentages 
annexed,  is  found  in  the  following  industries  in  1897  as  com- 
pared with  1881 :  Agriculture,  as  relates  to  laborers  paid  by 
the  month  with  board,  2.78  ;  Boots  and  Shoes,  7.59  ;  Building 
Trades,  43.91;  Cabinet  Making,  13.12;  Carpetings,  39.06; 
Carriaires,  0.60;  Cotton  Goods,  1.58;   Glass,  12.64;  Metals 


•    • 


i*        % 


•    • 


Independently  classified,  outside  the  industry  Metals  and  Metallic  Goods. 


No.  15.]  COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.         37 

and  Metallic  Goods  (fine  work),  15.09;  Musical  Instruments, 
14.23  ;  Printing,  31.04  ;  Rubber  Goods,  Elastic  Fabrics,  31.75  ; 
Stone,  4.68;  Straw  Goods,  15.31;  and  Woollen  Goods,  4.93. 
The  following  show  the  annexed  percentages  of  increase  in  1897 
as  compared  with  1872:  Building  Trades,  1.09;  Carpetings, 
68.92  ;  Metals  and  Metallic  Goods,  56.93  ;  and  Paper,  '2i].:V2. 

In  general,  the  returns  indicate  a  higher  wage  rate  in  1897 
than  in  1881,  only  eight  of  the  classified  industries  in  the  list 
presenting  exceptions.  Of  these  industries,  however,  two  show 
a  higfher  rate  in  1897  than  in  1872. 

On  the  contrary,  a  decline  in  general  appears  between  1897 
and  1872.  To  this  statement,  four  industries  present  exce lo- 
tions. Two  of  these,  namely,  the  Building  Trades  and  Carpet- 
ings show  an  increase  in  1897  as  compared  with  both  1881  and 
1872. 

In  order  to  determine  whether  real  wages  have  gone  up  or 
down,  prices  of  commodities  and  the  purchasing  power  of  money 
must  be  taken  into  account.  From  the  figures  contained  in 
Table  IV,  pages  23  and  24,  we  note  that  all  articles  classified 
as  Groceries  show  lower  prices  in  1897  than  in  1881,  with 
the  single  exception  of  Rio  coffee,  green,  which  shows  an  in- 
crease. These  include  the  ordinary  standard  articles  of  house- 
hold consumption,  namely:  flour  (wheat  and  rye),  corn  meal, 
codfish  (dry),  rice,  beans,  tea  (oolong),  coffee  (roasted),  sugar 
(brown,  coffee,  and  granulated),  molasses,  syrup,  soap  (com- 
mon), and  starch. 

Provisions  also  show  lower  prices  in  general,  the  exceptions 
being  certain  grades  of  beef,  veal  cutlets,  and  mutton  chops. 
The  articles  for  which  lower  quotations  appeared  in  1897  than 
in  1881,  under  this  head,  are  beef  (roasting),  beef  (corned), 
veal  (fore  and  hind  quarters),  mutton  (fore-quarter  and  leg), 
pork  (fresh  and  salted),  hams  (smoked),  shoulders  (corned), 
sausages,  lard,  butter,  cheese,  potatoes,  milk,  and  eggs. 

As  compared  with  1872,  all  the  articles  of  Groceries  men- 
tioned above  show  lower  prices  in  1897  except  corn  meal,  and 
all  the  articles  of  Provisions  except  mutton  chops. 

Of  course,  in  comparisons  of  this  kind,  much  depends  upon 
securing  prices  for  articles  of  the  same  quality,  and  for  articles 
of  the  same  quality  quotations  sometimes  vary  considerably  in 
the  same  town  or  city,  according  to  the  character  of  the  estab- 


II 


38  STATISTICS   OF  LABOK.  [Pub.  Doc. 

lishment  from  which  the  figures  are  obtained.  Great  care  was 
taken  to  secure  quotations  for  articles  of  uniform  quality  from 
establishments  patronized  mainly  by  working  people. 

Lower  quotations  for  Fuel,  including  wood  and  coal,  appear 
in  1897  than  in  either  1881  or  1872;  and  the  same  statement 
applies  to  Dry  Goods,  including  under  that  head  the  follow- 
ing standard  articles  :  sheeting  (9-8  brown  and  9-8  bleached), 
shirting  (4-4  brown  and  4-4  bleached),  cotton  flannel,  ticking,' 
and  prints.  The  quotation  for  Boots  (men's  heavy)  is  also  less 
in  1897  than  in  1881  or  1872. 

Under  the  head  of  Rents,  quotations  for  four-room  and  six- 
room  .tenements  appear.  The  rates  are  considerably  lower  in 
1897  than  in  1872,  and  for  the  six-room  tenements  slightly 
lower  in  1897  than  in  1881.  The  figures  for  the  four-room 
tenements  are  slightly  higher  in  1897  than  in  1881.  The  rates 
for  Board,  for  both  men  and  women,  are  lower  in  1897  than  in 
1872,  and  for  men  slightly  lower  than  in  1881.  For  women, 
however,  the  rates  are  slightly  higher  in  1897  than  in  1881. 

The  exact  significance  of  the  change  in  prices  for  commodities 
can  be  seen  in  Table  V,  pages  25  to  27,  showing  the  quantity 
of  each  article  purchasable  for  one  dollar  in  each  of  the  years 
included  in  the  tables  of  wages  and  prices.  Of  course,  it  is 
plain,  from  what  we  have  said  as  to  the  decline  in  prices,  that 
for  most  of  the  commodities  larger  quantities  were  obtainable 
for  the  sum  named  in  1897  than  in  1881  or  1872.  The  table 
enables  similar  comparisons  to  be  made  for  1860  and  1878, 
and  the  wage  quotations  for  these  last-named  years,  may  be 
noted  in  Table  I,  pages  4  to  12. 

Table  VI,  pages  2^  to  29,  shows  the  number  and  percentages 
of  increase  or  decrease  in  the  specified  quantities  of  the  different 
articles  purchasable  for  one  dollar  in  1897  as  compared  with 
1881  and  1872.  Some  of  the  percentages  of  increase  are  very 
large,  whether  the  figures  for  1881  or  1872  be  taken  as  the  base. 
For  example,  the  quantity  of  flour  (superfine  or  family),  pur- 
chasable for  one  dollar  shows  an  increase  in  1897  as  against 
1881  of  more  than  50  per  cent,  and  an  even  greater  increase 
as  against  1872.  The  increase  in  the  quantity  of  granulated 
sugar  purchasable  for  one  dollar,  in  1897  as  compared  with 
1881,  amounts  to  96.48  per  cent,  and  as  compared  with  1872, 
to  114.41  per  cent.     The  quantity  of  many  articles  of  Provi- 


•  I  • 


t  • 


M» 


»'      • 


4" 


t 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES. 


39 


sions,  of  coal,  and  of  Dry  Goods  thus  purchasable  also  show 
large  percentages  of  increase. 

The  percentages  of  increase  or  decrease  in  prices,  in  1897 
as  compared  with  1881  and  1872,  are  given  in  form  admitting 
ready  comparison  in  the  following  analysis  table  : 


Articles. 


Groceries. 
Flour,  wheat,  superfine 
Flour,  wheat,  family 
Flour,  rye 
Corn  meal, 
Codfish,  dry 
Rice, 
Beans, 
Tea,  oolong 
Coffee,  Rio,  green 
Coflfee,  roasted 
Sugar,  good  brown 
Sugar,  coffee   . 
Sugar,  granulated 
Molasses,  New  Orleans 
Molasses,  Porto  Rico 
Syrup,     . 
Soap,  common 
Starch,     . 

Provisions. 
Beef,  roasting . 
Beef,  soup 
Beef,  rump  steak    . 
Beef,  corned    . 
Veal,  fore-quarter  . 
Veal,  hind-quarter . 
Veal,  cutlets   . 
Mutton,  fore-quarter 
Mutton,  leg     . 
Mutton,  chops 
Pork,  fresh 
Pork,  salted    . 
Hams,  smoked 
Shoulders,  corned  . 
Sausages, 
Lard, 


Basis  of  Quantities 


Percentages  of 

Increase  (-I-), 

or  Decrease  (—), 

in  1897  as 

Compared  with 

1872 


Percentages  of 

Increase  (-|-)i 

or  Decrease  ( — ), 

in  1897  as 

Compared  with 

1881 


barrel 

barrel 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

quart 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

pound 

gallon 

gallon 

gallon 

pound 

pound 

pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 
pound 


—38.37 
—54.51 
—24.62 
+71.43 
—12.12 
—30.49 
—26.32 
—32.75 
—10.22 
—34.12 
—53.66 
—55.52 
—52.08 
—28.57 
—35.08 
—29.52 
—46.88 
—44.90 

—22.79 
—25.33 
—12.98 
—16.19 
—23.52 
—24.82 
—23.01 
—30.63 
—38.16 
+31.15 
—20.00 
—16.18 
—1.26 
—12.20 
—13.36 
—44.41 


^33.18 
—32.32 
—29.55 
—38.46 
—26.67 
—19.08 
-47.17 
—20.00 
+68.65 
—2.60 
—47.48 
—53.20 
—47.73 
—24.81 
—20.33 
—31.09 
—37.04 
—27.08 

—13.71 

+1.82 
+26.77 

—8.39 
—31.91 
—18.67 

+8.75 
—36.54 
—27.69 

+9.89 
—23.08 
—32.45 
—12.59 
—25.00 
—19.78 
—45.76 


40 


STATISTICS   OF  LABOR.  [Pub.  Doc. 


i 


ll 


Articles. 


Itasis  of  Quantities 


Percentagt's  r.f 

Increase  {-\-), 

or  Decrease  (—), 

in  IA97as 

Compared  with 

IH79 


Percentages  of 

Increase  (+;, 

orDecrease(— ), 

in  1897  as 

Compared  witli 

1881 


Pkovisioxs  —  Con. 
Butter,     .... 
Cheese,    .... 
Potatoes,. 
Milk 


Eggs, 


Fuel. 


Coal, 

Wood,  hard 
Wood,  pine 


Dry  Goods. 
Shirting,  4-4  brown 
Shirting,  4-4  l)leached 
Sheeting,  9-8  Ijrown 
Sheeting,  9-8  bleached 
Cotton  flannel, 
Ticking,  . 
Prints,     . 


Boors. 


Men's  heavy. 


Rents. 
Four-room  tenements,    . 
Six-room  tenements,      . 


BOAKI). 


Men, 
Women, 


pound  . 

I)ound  . 

bushel  . 
quart 

dozen  . 


ton 

cord 

cord 


yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 
yard 


pair 

month 
month 


week 
week 


—38.01 
—20.00 
—0.66 
—29.12 
—21.67 


—35.14 

—16.92 

—0.43 


—34.62 

—46.88 
—39.29 
—50.00 
-63.64 
—54.17 
—54.64 


'.84 


—41.44 
—27.44 


—17.79 
—2.40 


-29.80 
-20.00 
-19.42 
-55.00 
-27.69 


-23.44 
—6.20 
—1.69 


—2.86 
—22.73 
—20.93 
—29.09 
—37.50 
—34.33 
—31.23 


—35.53 


+8.10 
—5.22 


-2.74 
-1-22.00 


In  order  to  compute  a  general  percentage  of  increase  or 
decrease  for  the  dift'erent  groups  in  which  the  foregoing  articles 
appear,  for  instance,  for  Groceries  and  Provisions,  which  shall 
fairly  reflect  the  change  of  prices  as  related  to  the  cost  of  living, 
it  is,  of  course,  necessary  to  give  the  percentages  of  increase 
or  decrease  in  the  prices  of  the  diflferent  articles,  different  de- 
grees of  force  or  weight,  in  proportion  to  the  relative  amounts 
of  the  articles  consumed  in  the  familv.  Otherwise,  a  lars^e 
percentage  of  decrease  in  the  prices  of  articles  of  which  only 
limited  amounts  are  consumed,  for  example,  starch,  might 
unduly  lower  the  averages  for  the  group. 


I 


No.  15.]    COMPARATIVE  WAGES  AND  PRICES.        41 

The  Congressional  Committee,  which  in  1892  presented  an 
elaborate  report  on  wages  and  prices,  in  a  similar  computation 
gave  to  the  price  quotation  for  each  article  in  the  group  the 
same  mathematical  eflect  upon  the  general  average  for  the 
group,  that  the  expenditure  for  the  article  bore  upon  the  total 
family  expenditure,  as  determined  by  a  large  number  of  bud- 
gets of  family  expenses  collected  for  the  purpose.  From  the 
material  contained  in  the  foregoing  presentation,  we  have  com- 
puted, upon  the  basis  adopted  by  this  Committee,  the  per- 
centage changes  in  prices  for  Groceries  and  Provisions,  as.  a 
whole.  The  results  indicate  a  decrease  in  the  price  of  Groceries 
of  30  per  cent  in  1897  as  compared  with  1872  ;  and  a  decrease 
of  6.G7  per  cent  as  compared  with  1881.  Provisions  show  a 
decrease  of  18.52  per  cent  in  1897  as  compared  with  both 
1872  and  1881. 

[Note.  — It  should  be  mentioned,  in  order  to  prevent  misunderstanding,  that  in  the 
closing  months  of  1897,  subsequent  to  the  collection  of  the  rates  of  wages  which  appear 
in  the  preceding  tables,  a  general  reduction,  averaging  possibly  10  per  cent,  occurred  in 
the  Cotton  Goods  industry.] 


GAYLAMOUNT 
PAMPHLET  BINDER 

*        Manu/atluftJ  iy 
I  eAYLORD  BROS.  I*c. 

Syrscus*,  N.  Y. 

Stockt.n,  CaliJ.         ' 


if 


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DATE  BORROWED 


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mi9 


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C2e(n49)  100M 


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Wadlin,  Horace  a. 
Gonoarative  ^vages  and  J^riccs 

1860-1397. 

!         NOV  2  ssr 


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SEP  1 9  1950 


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END  OF 
TITLE 


